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Pageant of the Popes, by John Farrow, , at sacred-texts.com
Italy and France and Spain all struggled to control the next conclave and the latter two powers did not hesitate to try and enlist the aid of Caesar Borgia. But happily the sinister creature was not as active at this important time as he could have been; for he was yet weak from his illness. "I had counted on the death of my father and had made every preparation for it," he lamented, "but it never occurred to me that I should have at the same time to fight death myself." However he threw his influence to favor the candidate of the French king. But to thwart him there now returned to Rome, after an exile of nearly ten years, the antagonist of his father, the experienced and veteran Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere who, friendly though he himself had been with the French, warned the cardinals that if a Frenchman were elected the papacy faced the danger of being returned to Avignon. There seemed then every chance of a deadlock but this prospect was so distasteful to the Sacred College that a name hitherto not mentioned was quickly presented and acclaimed and a month after Alexander's death the Cardinal Francesco Piccolomini, nephew of Pius II, became Pope Pius
[paragraph continues] III. He was sixty-four years old and was a hopeless invalid; this latter circumstance was probably the real reason that won for him the votes of the conclave for his tenure was expected to be short. Nor were the macabre expectations disappointed. He died in less than a month but during that brief time displayed much charity and kindness and announced reform to be his aim.
There was no deadlock at the next conclave for by bargain and by bribe Cardinal della Rovere secured for himself thirty-seven of the thirty-eight votes in proceedings that did not extend a full day. After long years he had finally won the tiara and triumphantly taking the name of Julius II he set out to restore the strength and possessions of the Papal States. This was no easy task, for Alexander had left a sad confusion of debts and trouble, and great properties rightfully belonging to the Church were in the clutches of his son. The Republic of Venice was noisily claiming Romagna, Spain was occupying Sicily and Naples, and the French, ever resolved to maintain a foothold in Italy were willing to resort to arms against any who would oppose them. Julius had been given a domain bankrupt in treasury and bereft of defence but not for nothing had he earned the description of terrible. He was possessed of enormous physical strength and had the courage of a lion, and his will and determination matched both these qualities. His abilities were those of a warrior statesman rather than those of an ecclesiastic but they were talents appreciated by the Romans at this time. He was not a saint and three daughters were testimony that his earlier life had been no better than that of other Renaissance prelates; but, although he had a few relations in high places, the charge of nepotism has never been levelled against him. He won, it is true, elevation to the chair of St. Peter by dubious tactics but once enthroned he acted
only for the betterment, as he saw it, of that which had been placed in his care. In spite of his considerable years he was possessed of a driving energy. "No one has any influence over him," reported the Venetian Ambassador. "He consults few or none. Anything he has been thinking of overnight has to be carried out immediately the next morning, and he insists on doing everything himself. It is impossible to describe how headstrong and violent and difficult to manage he is. Everything about him is on a magnificent scale. There is nothing in him that is small or meanly selfish. Whatever is in his mind must be carried through, even if he himself were to perish in the attempt."
He despised the name of Borgia yet at the beginning of his reign there was no rupture with Caesar Borgia because of a pact made before his election. At that time he had made sure there would be no opposition from any quarter and Caesar Borgia might have possessed some influence with those cardinals who owed their preferment to his father. But when he became Pope the ill begotten territories of the wicked Duke were included in his program of independence via restoration. Venice had designs on these properties also and there was long disagreement with that Republic. "From the beginning of Our reign," the Doge of Venice was informed, "it has been Our steadfast purpose to restore to the Church the territories of which she has been despoiled; to this We hold fast, and shall ever do so . . . Nothing shall induce Us to desist from demanding the restitution of these places . . . Therefore We again admonish your Highness with all paternal kindness, and command you in the name of the Lord to do freely and at once that which in justice you are bound to do." The Venetians were obstinate but in the end Julius was victorious and the banner of the Papal States was unfurled again over the coveted places. Meanwhile the decline of
[paragraph continues] Caesar Borgia was startlingly rapid and the man who had been so flamboyantly master of all Italy soon found himself without friends or troops. Julius placed him under a form of arrest and then he was released but only to be imprisoned again. After a captivity of two years he escaped and a few months later was killed whilst fighting with the army of his French brother-in-law.
The intrepid and impatient Pope would allow nothing to stand in the way of his plans and he marched with his troops and led them to victory at Orvieto and Perugia and Urbino. Other times the fortunes of war would turn but he was no poltroon and to the despair of less hardy members of his suite he would remain with the warriors, sharing their dangers and discomforts and inspiring them with example. To fit his policies he made and discarded allies as quickly as he made decisions and so the French were invited to assist him vanquish the Venetians and in turn, when the French became too demanding, he enlisted the support of other nations including the Venetians, to drive the French back to France. Before his election he had promised the cardinals that they should have some rights of consultation but any projected opposition from this body was made ineffectual by the creation at various times of twenty-seven new cardinals. A few discontented wearers of the Red Hat were induced by two irate monarchs, Louis XII of France and the Emperor Maximilian, to a foolish rebellion. Both rulers, with designs of their own upon Italy, were alarmed at the Pope's attempts at independence and at their instigation the renegade cardinals convoked a Council at Pisa. The scheme was a pitiful failure. A small number of churchmen did finally assemble but the townspeople were so hostile that the pseudo-Council was forced to adjourn and continue its futile mummery at another place. The world was weary
of this brand of schism and the activities of the rebels never achieved importance save as a temporary annoyance to the Pope. It might have been otherwise if the French had gained the final victory and indeed for a gloomy time it appeared they would. A series of brilliant successes were achieved by the soldiers of Louis, aided by those of the Emperor, and there was strong likelihood that Rome would be sacked. Further gloom came when the strain imposed upon the overworked Pope had the expected result and he was stricken by an illness so grievous that the physicians pronounced his recovery impossible. Arrangements were made for his funeral and a panic descended upon the city when the news was known. "Never," wrote the Venetian Ambassador, "has there been such a clang of arms round the death-bed of any former Pope; never has the danger been greater than it is now. May God help us!"
To the amazement of all and to the dismay of his enemies the Pope recovered and quickly restored order to Rome with an iron hand. He was not yet discouraged and with typical determination he set out to win even at this apparently hopeless stage. And win he did for by extraordinary diplomatic skill he succeeded in inducing Maximilian to withdraw his support and separate his troops from the French army. Furthermore the Emperor, suddenly alarmed at the prospect of a French-controlled Italy, permitted Swiss soldiers to pass through his dominions. The Swiss had come in answer to the Pope's pleas and it was they who decisively routed the French. A wild joy prevailed in Rome and thunderous adulation was heard when Julius returned to the Vatican. "Never," reported the observant Venetian envoy, "was any Emperor or victorious general so honored on his entry into Rome as the Pope has been today."
Julius II. Reigned 1503 to 1513.
Click to enlarge
Pope Julius II.
This is the man who climbed up on the scaffolding to argue with Michael Angelo. See pages 229 to 235.
No details seem to miss the attention of this prodigious worker. The vexations and colossal labors of his martial campaigns and political efforts did not hinder a keen interest in the establishment of the bishoprics in the New World; a legate from an important court, a soldier with news from the army, a missionary returned from a remote place, all alike received his rapt interest. Laws and statutes were examined with meticulous care and the machinery of civil law was made less cumbersome. Roads and bridges were built or repaired throughout the Papal States and long needed measures were taken to protect the farmers and their crops from the avarice of the overlords and from the depredations of their soldiery. No matter how great the burden of his anxieties the Pope somehow in the interest of his subjects found the time to write such letters as he wrote to one of his governors: "A citizen of Bertinoro has complained to the Pope that the Castellan has taken wood from him and injured him in other ways. Let the Castellan and his abettors be punished without fail and take care that no harm comes to the complainant."
Nor did the realm of art escape the interest of the amazing man. Surpassed even were the examples of predecessors in this respect and his intense antipathy to all things connected with the Borgia name did not prevent him from continuing with projects commenced in Alexander's reign. Bramanti, the architect, was given the task of rebuilding St. Peter's basilica into a structure vast and magnificent and it was the beginning of the great edifice which stands today. Michael Angelo was called to Rome and the world is aware of the splendid results produced by that inspired summons. The genius of Rafael and the prowess of his gifted colleagues flowered under the warmth of papal encouragement and subsidy. Julius had a rare sympathy for the artistic mind and he understood well, as he put it, "the
humors of such men of genius." When Michael Angelo had rushed from Rome in a rage swearing that he would leave his work uncompleted an astonished and shocked official in Florence told him, "You have behaved towards the Pope in a way that the King of France himself would not have ventured upon. There must be an end of this. We are not going to be dragged into a war, and risk the whole state for you. Go back to Rome." The obstinate artist took his time but finally returned and when he appeared before Julius a prelate thought to save him from the expected wrath by pleading, "Your Holiness should not be so hard on this fault of Michael Angelo; he is a man who has never been taught good manners, these artists do not know how to behave, they understand nothing but their art." The Pope turned the full force of his anger upon the unfortunate cleric. "You venture," he roared, "to say to this man things I should not have dreamt of saying. It is you who have not manners. Get out of my sight, you miserable, ignorant clown." From this time on there were no great differences between the Pope and the great man of art, although there were many noisy arguments. Court attendants would marvel at the sight of their formidable master abandoning all dignity and clambering up the dusty scaffolding which festooned the Sistine Chapel. A grimy hand to help him would be extended by the busy genius, sometimes irritated at being interrupted, and there the two would discuss the details and progress of the superb frescoes.
After Julius had secured temporal strength and independence and brought order and prosperity to the States of the Church his restless mind became occupied with the gigantic problem of sorely needed Church reform. He had already issued a pungent bull against simony in papal elections and now he assembled in Rome, after a year of careful
preparation, a heavily attended Council of the Church. By this time the exhausted and aged pontiff was nearing his end but what he wished to say was read by a cardinal. The congregated dignitaries of all nations were told frankly the critical time had come when drastic measures had to be taken to correct the dreadful state of Church discipline. Would that he had lived longer to employ the full force of his vigor on this project. But his time was run and he was soon on his death bed. Even there the great, if imperfect Pope, weakened though he was, behaved as his usual self, calmly giving the necessary instructions for his funeral, uttering measured words of farewell to his weeping friends, and arranging prayers to be said for his soul. He then died and "Rome felt that the soul which had passed from her had been of royal mould," recorded a friend. "I have lived forty years in this city, but never yet have I seen such a vast throng at the funeral of any former Pope. The guards were overpowered by the crowds insisting on kissing the dead man's feet. Weeping they prayed for his soul, calling him a true Pope and Vicar of Christ, a pillar of justice, a zealous promoter of the Apostolic Church, an enemy and queller of tyrants."
The Bull against simony was read aloud at the next conclave and such elaborate precautions were taken to prevent the odious practice that no suspicion of this nature can darken the memory of the next pope, the thirty-eight year old Giovanni de Medici who became Leo X. Certainly a factor to contribute heavily to his winning the majority of the votes was his membership in the powerful Florentine family: although it is true that his life was without scandal and it is also true that to fit him for high ecclesiastical rank he had received a special and comprehensive education from a carefully selected group of distinguished tutors. He was the son of one of the most
strong and colourful figures of the Renaissance, Lorenzo de Medici, the ruler of Florence who was called the Magnificent. At thirteen years of age he had been given the dignity of the cardinalate although up to the time of his elevation to the papacy the extent of his clerical progress was a deacon's orders. After receiving the acclaim of the conclave he was ordained priest, consecrated bishop two days later, and then solemnly and with splendor given the tiara on the steps of the now half demolished Basilica of St. Peter.
The debris of the broken structure was a strangely fitting background for his coronation because the rebuilding of this edifice provided the incident which in this reign was to bring unparalleled sorrow and disaster to the Catholic Church. To provide the funds for the erection of the new St. Peter's, indulgences were unfortunately offered for money and in Germany an outraged Augustinian friar protested vigorously by writing a series of ninety-five theses against such abuses and nailing his manuscript to the door of the castle church at Wittenberg. The name of the friar was Martin Luther, the fateful day was the 31st of October 1517, and the historic and so tragically symbolic wielding of hammer against church door occurred in the fifth year of Leo's reign. And it was an event which, while receiving instantaneous attention throughout Germany, failed to cause alarm or immediate interest in Rome.
The storm had broken, the most critical time in the long history of the Church had arrived, and there was nought but apathy on the part of the Pope. Absorbed in the unsavory intricacies of his politics and pleasures, Leo failed to recognize the importance of Luther's initial deed and there can be little excuse for his catastrophic lethargy. There was no lack of warning. For years past the clamor
for reform within the Church had been steadily increasing throughout Europe and matching this spirit in growth and volume was contempt for ecclesiastical authority. At the council which his predecessor had inaugurated and which had continued on into his own reign, lengthy and complicated resolutions had been proposed and accepted; but, as a layman who attended the Council complained, "We have heard a great deal about the making of laws, but very little about their observance." In many ways the new Pope seemed to resemble Alexander VI rather than Julius. His family was enriched and given favours whenever possible and his court, thronged by artists and writers and frivolous noblemen, was that of a gay and youthful prince rather than that of the Bishop of Rome. The delights of the banqueting table, the amusements of dramatic pageants, the mummery of buffoons, the thrill of the hunting field, all these things occupied the time and interest of the man who was pope when Luther began his attack and who, endowed with the tastes and principles of his family, wove a mesh of political activities which kept him continuously embroiled with the various rulers of Europe.
Deceit and treachery were the habitual characteristics of this dangerous game as played by him and consequently when he tried to raise funds for the prosecution of a new crusade, the response from the nations was mostly a cynical indifference. A Florentine statesman who frequently served and advised him was Niccolo Machiavelli whose name has endured as a synonym for subterfuge and intrigue of the basest type. So it was not unnatural that antipathy to Rome fattened upon the lavish duplicity which was presented as papal diplomacy. The unreal title of Emperor was still desired by kings and this vanity the Pope used freely in his schemes, openly supporting one
aspirant for the historic but illusory honor while at the same time his legates would be whispering encouragement to another deluded prince. The intention behind Leo's ceaseless and complicated negotiations was to keep Spain and France and Germany from further encroachments in Italy. Once in his reign the French did attempt an invasion but they were driven back before the fury of the Swiss mercenaries. In the peace which followed it was agreed that the unsuccessful schism which had begun under French auspices at Pisa should now be abandoned and that, while the French monarch should possess the right of nomination in regard to benefices, canonical investiture could only be given by the pope.
Despite the resolutions of the recent Council clerical abuses continued and increased, and in Rome when thirty-one cardinals were made at one creation it was well known that although a few new wearers of the purple were indeed worthy men, the majority of their colleagues had openly purchased the honor. One of these was Ferdinando Ponzetti who had commenced life as a physician and who now was able to pay 30,000 ducats for his new rank. At least six wearers of the Red Hat certainly paid nothing, for this number of the Pope's relatives were so honored, and while his brother Giuliano paraded Rome with the title of Captain General of the Church, still another kinsman ruled Florence as temporal overlord. There was great discontent amongst certain of the younger cardinals who had voted for the Pope at the conclave and who felt that they had not been rewarded suitably. One of these unhappy prelates, the Cardinal Petrucci, brooding over supposed injustices, instigated a plot to murder the Pope and the condition and standard of the Sacred College at this time is shown by the dismal fact that four other of its members, including the Dean, gave their support to the
proposed crime. A conscienceless physician was bribed to commit the murder while attending the pontiff but fortunately for the latter, who trusted few men, a letter was intercepted and the evil scheme revealed. Swift punishment came to the physician and to Petrucci. Both were executed along with a few accomplices, but the other guilty cardinals, perhaps because of the Pope's charity or, more probably, because of the influence of powerful friends, were neither hung nor strangled but merely fined heavily, deprived of their electoral privileges, and banished from the city.
Such conditions brought strong discontent everywhere and particularly in Germany where Luther found willing audiences, not because of the soundness of his theology, but because of the appalling abuses permitted and practised by those whom he attacked. The traffic in benefices, the ceaseless appeals from Rome for money, and the harsh fact that in Germany most of the great bishoprics were possessed by scions of royalty and nobility, overshadowed the efforts of those who were desperately working for reform from within the Church. Such men there were but, as is common, virtues and good deeds were submerged beneath the vices and wrongdoings of the spectacularly wicked; and despite the many examples of sincere vocations, the lamentable state of Church discipline was a fact acknowledged and deplored on all sides. More and more the cupidity of the Roman court was being resented and a steadily increasing spirit of nationalism was adding force to this feeling. "From his own dominion," went the words of a widely circulated pamphlet, "streams of wealth flow in to the Pope as to no other Christian prince; yet we have to pay for palliums, and send asses laden with gold to Rome, and exchange gold for corn, and rest content with blood-lettingspardon me, I mean with indulgences!
[paragraph continues] Woe to this monster of avarice which is never satisfied! The craftiness of the Florentine discovers a thousand devices, each one more execrable than the last. Let German freedom be mindful not to become tributary, and not to pay tithes." Such sentiments as these were echoed vigorously by the type of Humanists, extreme and violently anti-Christian, who at this time possessed great influence in the German universities. Their brand of philosophy frankly glorified paganism and of course viewed all activities of the Church with repugnance and contempt. "The Pope is a bandit," wrote one of the leaders of this movement, "and the Church is his army."
About this time a youthful but powerful prince in Holy Orders, the Elector Albert of Brandenburg, already Archbishop of Magdeburg and Administrator of the See of Halberstadt, was made Archbishop of Mayence. He wished to retain his former sees and after much negotiation with the papal representative he was allowed to do so but on the condition he pay a fee of fourteen thousand ducats besides a special tax of ten thousand of the same coin. It was a shameful transaction but not even yet complete. A banker, Jacob Fugger, advanced the over-beneficed prince the ready gold and then to enable settlement of the banker's loan, Albert was given the privilege of proclaiming the grant of St. Peter's Indulgence through his territories on the terms that he should share equally with Rome all funds so collected.
In an age when bribery and simony were to be found in high places, it is not surprising that the granting of indulgences should sometimes be tainted by mercenary consideration although the doctrine of the Church leaves no doubt as to the invalidity of any accepted with the knowledge of such an arrangement. The term Indulgence is derived from the Latin indulgere meaning to be kind
and it is an excellent explanation for, as defined by the Church in the XIII century, an indulgence is the remission of temporal punishment due to sin after guilt has been forgiven. It is Catholic teaching that even after the guilt of a sin has been forgiven, there may still remain due to the justice of God some measure of punishment (called temporal to distinguish it from the eternal punishment of sin not forgiven because not repented). It is with this temporal punishment, and not with the sin or its guilt, that the Indulgence is concerned. To earn such a favor the suppliant must, in addition to possessing the habitual intention, be in that state of grace which is achieved by true repentance and sincere confession and by the performance of good works such as prayer and charitable undertakings. There are partial indulgences which remit, as the name implies, only in part and there are plenary indulgences which, given by the Pope alone, cancel all temporal punishment due to sin. There are indulgences for the living and those for the dead which actually, because departed souls are of course beyond the Church's jurisdiction, are nothing more than solemn requests for the divine mercy. An indulgence had been proclaimed in the reign of Pope Julius for those who, in addition to fulfilling the usual requirements of penance and contrition, should contribute to the rebuilding of St. Peter's. Because of the eager and none too scrupulous manner in which the monies were gathered and because of the intense and mounting anti-Roman feeling already strong in Germany, there were grave and spirited protests from that country when Leo X, upon becoming Pope, not only renewed the same indulgence but thought by means of it to gather even greater sums for his treasury.
The warnings were unheeded and after prolonged bickering the disgraceful arrangement with Albert of Mayence
was concluded. The next step towards disaster came when the latter placed the responsibility of bringing the fateful Indulgence to the people in the hands of John Tetzel, a Dominican orator who had considerable experience in such enterprises and who was well known for his skill in gathering the lucre. It was a reputation not at all popular and even one of his brother Dominicans wrote angrily of him that he "devised unheard-of means of making money. He was far too liberal in conferring offices; he put up far too many public crosses in towns and villages, which causes scandal and breeds complaints among the people." This man now embarked upon the money raising campaign, for that is what it frankly was, with more zeal than doctrinal authority; for while he did not err in naming the requirements necessary to obtain indulgences for the living, he did make the mistake of declaring those for the dead could be gained by money alone. His statement was clearly contrary to the doctrines of the Church and the leading theologian of the time, the Cardinal Cajetan, was vehemently positive on the subject of such erroneous teachings. "Preachers speak in the name of the Church," said he, "only so long as they proclaim the doctrine of Christ and His Church; but if, for purposes of their own, they teach that about which they know nothing, and which is only their own imagination they must not be accepted as mouth pieces of the Church. No one must be surprised if such as these fall into error."
Tetzel's route took him to Wittenberg where the district vicar and university lecturer, a thirty-four year old Augustinian priest named Martin Luther, impatiently awaited him with strong opinions and an able pen. Luther had once made a journey to Rome and although at that time he displayed no symptoms of displeasure he later claimed he had been disillusioned and angered at what he
had seen. By nature he was deeply impressionable as well as self confident and strong willed. His adoption of the clerical state had not been the result of long and careful consideration but was because the sudden death of a close friend who had been destined for the priesthood convinced him he should take his place. This was done against the earnest pleas of his father, for the young Luther had studied for the law, a process involving hardship and sacrifice both to him and his family who were of humble circumstance. After his reception into monastic life the approval of his superiors encouraged his studies and conduct, and at the age of twenty-five he had become a professor at the new university of Wittenberg. Any measure of success is apt to be a hazard to the restraints of discipline and the academic triumphs of the young monk proved a dangerous stimulant to a proud and stubborn nature. In many ways he resembled Savonarola and even his vocabulary was marked by a similar bitter violence. "Knaves, dolts, pigs, asses, infernal blasphemers" were terms he hurled at his opponents with the harsh emphasis akin to that which had stirred the congregations of Florence. But where the Italian had been content to attack the person of a Pope and had not questioned the authority of the Church, the German was to take this fatal step and make denial and offer challenge to orthodox dogma. His "Ninety-five Theses" were nailed to the church door and soon all Germany rocked with the altercation which followed.
Tetzel, unlike many other churchmen, immediately realized the dangers underlying Luther's attack, and he countered with a carefully prepared work in which he emphasized that the affair was not a matter of indulgences alone but because of it "many will be led to despise the authority and supremacy of the Pope and the Holy
[paragraph continues] Roman See." His apprehension did not disturb the equanimity of the Curia or bring any vigorous action from the hierarchy. Luther sent a copy of his theses to the Metropolitan who on the advice of his counsellors referred the matter to Rome with an accompanying letter which expressed the hope "that His Holiness would grasp the situation so as to meet the error at once, as occasion offers and as the exigency requires and not lay the responsibility on us."
The apparatus of correction and discipline moved slowly and ineffectually while the new movement, as yet not organized or recognized as such, spread with the rapidity of a fierce and sudden conflagration. The dislike held for Rome and the political and social state of Germany all made for the cause of Luther. The nobles coveted the properties of the Church. The intellectuals, dominated and excited by the Humanist movement, were delighted at an opportunity to destroy the conventional religion. And the peasantry, told of Roman iniquities in the most inflammatory terms, were given the chimerical hope that the new order would better their miserable lot. In the year following the gesture at Wittenberg the Pope instructed the Vicar General of the Augustinians to silence the unruly monk; but Luther disregarded such measures and anticipating excommunication boldly preached that the sentence would be futile because "the real communion of the Church was invisible and that no one could be affected by it." A few months later the Emperor Maximilian, now thoroughly alarmed by the numbers and attitude of the priest's adherents, .wrote to the Pope and declared serious measures should be immediately taken to quell him. Canonical processes commenced and Luther was summoned to Rome; but the only answer was the publication of a series of new pamphlets filled with heresy.
A Legate, the gentle and learned Cardinal Cajetan, went to Germany where after some difficulty Luther consented to meet him but would give no retractation. At intervals there were further negotiations with other emissaries and there were public debates with such skilled theologians as Johann Eck defending orthodoxy. Sometimes it seemed reconciliation might be possible, for often it was Luther's mood that he would not break with Rome and at these times he would profess obedience to the Pope. But never would he make retractation or express sorrow for his past actions; and as his words grew fiercer the hope became irretrievably lost and there remained only one road for his proud and stubborn nature to follow. Irrevocably he was committed to rebellion and with the full and powerful influence of the Humanists strong upon him politics gradually crowded theology to a lesser position in his sermons. Liberty and patriotism are the unfailing slogan of the revolutionary and to these inflammatory words was now added the name of the Gospel. "Liberty! Fatherland! Gospel!" The battlecry was made. "I have cast the die," he boasted, "I now despise the rage of the Romans as much as I do their favor. I will not reconcile myself to them for all eternity . . . If a thief is punished by a halter, a murderer by the sword, and a heretic by fire, why should not we, with all our weapons attack these teachers of corruption, these Popes, Cardinals, and all the rabble of the Roman Sodom, and wash our hands in their blood."
Thirty-two months after the incident at Wittenberg a Bull was issued by Leo condemning forty-one propositions extracted from the writings of Luther and excommunicating him unless he retracted within sixty days. But by now the Friar was firmly entrenched in Germany and had gained the protection of a powerful prince, the Elector
of Saxony. Scornfully the claims of discipline were dismissed and with ceremony and to the cheers of the populace he publicly burned the Bull and told the students of Wittenberg that "It is now full time the Pope himself is burned. My meaning is that the Papal chair, its false teachings, and its abominations, should be given to the flames." The parchment burned brightly and the crowd roared lusty approval; and in the lurid glow of the noisy scene Protestantism thus became a fact although it was not until a decade later that the name came into use. This was at the Diet of Speyer where it was resolved that the new religion was established but that its adherents must not interfere with or hinder Catholic worship. The followers of Luther protested vigorously at the tolerant decree and hence the term, Protestant.
Leo died after a reign of eight years and before him the Emperor Maximilian had gone also. He was succeeded by his grandson, Charles of Spain. Henry VIII of England had been a candidate for the Imperial honor and at the long conclave which proceeded the election of the next Pope the name of Henry's counsellor, the great Cardinal Wolsey, received serious consideration. However, the Medici family was resolved that a cousin of Leo should secure the ballots and possibly to avert the evils of deadlock an unexpected name was finally announced, that of the Cardinal Adrian Dedel who in keeping his own name as Pope Adrian VI was to break a two hundred year old tradition. The fact that he possessed the friendship and respect of the new Emperor must have influenced the decision of the cardinals but it was a decision certainly not sought by the man whom it favored. He had not attended the conclave and it was with reluctance that he embarked upon the journey from Spain to accept the responsibilities of the tiara. Born at Utrecht in Holland he was the son
of a shipwright and by ability and diligence had risen to the position of tutor to the young Charles who was impressed by his talents and his honesty and who never had reason to change the opinion. Successive and successful stages of advancement had eventually brought the Netherlander to the high position of Viceroy in Spain and now had come the Papacy. It was eight months before he was crowned in Rome and it was with coldness that the people of the City greeted him for he was in every way utterly unlike the great prince prelates to whom they were accustomed. Pomp he detested, flattery too, and those noisy and undisciplined crowds of artists and poets and merchants who had fattened on the generosity of former reigns quickly discovered that papal patronage had ceased to be. No lavish court or costly pageants or feasts and games or chances for easy or dubious riches could be expected during the time of this scrupulous northerner who earnestly desired reform and a united and tranquil Christendom. These were his aims, together with plans for a crusade against the Turks who had already won the island of Rhodes, but the obstacles he had inherited seemed insurmountable; he was too late and perhaps it was this realization that hastened his end. He died less than two years after his election.
The Romans received a pope more suited to their taste in the person of his successor for this time the plans of the Medici were triumphant. Giulio de Medici, cousin of Leo X, took his place as Clement VII. It was not an easy victory, for the Emperor, the Kings of France and England, the Italian factions, all had their candidates and the conclave lasted fifty days. The struggle for ballots was most lively and for a while it again seemed as though the Englishman, Wolsey, might win; but the supporters of the Medici redoubled their efforts and enlarged their
promises and so won the majority necessary for their candidate.
Unfortunately he was in no way equal to the responsibilities and burdens of the great position. He was a cultured and handsome man of fifty-six and was possessed of a grace of manner and ability expected of his birth and breeding. But these values were not sufficient to cope with the complex problems, both temporal and spiritual, which now confronted the papacy and disturbed the world. From the beginning misfortune attended his venturings in the intricate and dubious intrigues which constituted the diplomacy of his day. The Emperor Charles V and King Francis I of France were at war and the Pope adopted a faltering policy of pseudo-neutrality which under the existing circumstances was neither possible nor sincere and which quickly lost him the respect of both princes. Francis repelled a German invasion on his own soil and then marched to enforce his claims in Italy; but at Pavia the Imperial troops engaged again and this time the French were beaten and their monarch taken prisoner. Hopes for a united Christendom had been woefully shattered when, before this battle, the French king, made desperate by impending defeat, had tried unsuccessfully to make an alliance with the Turks. As a prisoner he concluded a treaty of surrender with Charles but the terms were harsh and secretly he plotted to form a new combine. In an effort to escape Teutonic dominance the Milanese and Venetians were susceptible to the arguments of this would-be ally of the Turk and so unfortunately was the Pope.
When the Emperor learned of the covert negotiations his rage was kindled and soon his troops, a wild and long unpaid army of German and Spanish mercenaries, were unleashed upon the Papal States. Rome was defended with spirit and the commander of the attacking forces was
Leo X. Reigned 1513 to 1521.
Click to enlarge
Pope Leo X.
Machiavelli advised him: Luther defied him. See pages 235 to 246.
killed but a breach was made in the walls and the city, so rich a prize, was open to a horde of ruffians savagely hungry for loot. All vestiges of discipline disappeared during orgies of killing, burning, sacrilege, and rape which followed. For centuries the sack of Rome had been the terror of those who feared the Turk. It was now a horrible fact but the despoilers of the churches and defilers of the altars did not carry the insignia of Islam. They called themselves Christians and their absent master proudly flaunted Charlemagne's grandiose title, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. The Pope and seven of his cardinals fled to a fortress at Orvieto and there remained for many long months; and when he did return to the city it was a ruined and broken landscape which saddened his eye and spirit. He was forced to a peace with Charles and on Imperial terms. Thus papal dignity was sacrificed when the Pope obeyed and travelled to Bologna where with the pomp of ancient ceremony he presided at the Imperial coronation. Another journey made at royal behest and destined to bear great and grave consequences was his voyage to France when his niece married the Duke of Or- leans. It was an opportunity not neglected for the French monarch to discuss many momentous matters, including the historic demand from across the channel that the marriage of Henry VIII and his Queen be dissolved. Francis made plea for the English king and even hinted of the danger to the papacy of incurring a united French and English enmity. The Pope listened and was aware of the peril but he also remembered that the unwanted wife was the niece of the Emperor Charles.
Henry had married Catherine of Aragon, the young widow of his sickly elder brother, after special permission had been granted by Rome on the grounds that the first marriage had never been consummated. Five children
had been born of this union between Spanish Princess and English King but only one survived, Mary, later to be Queen. That the popular and gifted Henry had no sympathy for Luther is a well known story for with a great flourish he banned the Reformer's books from England and composed, with the aid of his divines, the famous treatise in Latin, A Defence of the Seven Sacraments against Martin Luther. In return he received violent abuse from the monk but also the gratitude of the Pope in the form of a title, Defender of the Faith, an honor which was not relinquished for Henry never considered any deed of his to be Protestant in act or intent. Seventeen years he had lived with Catherine before he developed scruples regarding the validity of their marriage and these stirrings were not the product of a stern conscience or sincere canonical doubt but were born of an illicit if not obscure love affair. It would seem that all any man could desire on earth had been Henry's inheritance for not only did the favor of exalted birth give him rank and possessions but he was also superbly endowed in physique and mind. It was natural he should receive vast measure of adulation and flattery and perhaps it was equally natural he should fall prey to such subtle poisons. Maturity usually remedies the weaknesses of adolescence with that kind of sagacity which is born of time and pain, but on those occasions when the circumstances of life are made too easy the passing of years merely serves to ripen the young fruit to rot.
So it was with Henry, whose intelligence and body were subjected to temptation in numerous and elaborate forms of enticement and cunning. Self-discipline faded away and the noble ideals of youth became dim and distorted before the capricious demands of gluttony and sensual appetite. One of his mistresses had been Mary
[paragraph continues] Boleyn and it was her sister Anne, who inflamed his fickle passion and distorted his judgment to such a degree that he became determined she should be his Queen. Eventually he made her so, but not with the sanction of the Pope and this fact stands out, cold and clear, from the morass of intrigue and procrastination which accompanied the royal folly. For six years the headstrong monarch tried by all means possible to win the necessary permission and the complicated negotiations which took place leave little credit to either side. Proceedings dragged on and papal and royal emissaries travelled busily to and fro, laden with the appurtenances of mystery and plot. Hopes were falsely kindled and threats rashly made. Universities were bribed to give opinions in favor of the divorce and crowds of servile courtiers masquerading as prelates eagerly and without shame prostituted their faith and their learning to assure the enamoured monarch that his conduct was correct. Counsellors of this mould even suggested that a solution of the problem would be for the Pope to grant a special dispensation allowing Henry to possess two wives! When the infatuated prince finally made Anne a Marchioness and took her to France where she was presented as the future Queen of England the Pope was forced to action. He threatened excommunication to both if they did not separate. The new Marchioness was pregnant but before her child was born a marriage ceremony was performed and the crown was placed atop her comely head amidst scenes of formal splendour.
The time, long dreaded by the timid and procrastinating Pope, had arrived and to his honour he remained firm and true to dignity and responsibility. The loss of allegiance to papal authority in Europe had been devastating and now England's loyalty could be kept at the cost of one divorce. Temptation must have been great but with clarity
the final decision was pronounced in Rome; Catherine was the lawful wife of the English King. Persistent and contemptible attempts had been made upon the unfortunate woman by her deluded husband to have her resign her rights, but no argument or humiliation could wring from her an admission that the long years of her married life had been merely a term of concubinage and that their daughter, Mary, was illegitimate.
King and Queen met before a court of bishops and Catherine spoke with the calm dignity of a faithful wife and good mother. "I take God and all the world to witness that I have been to you a true, humble, and obedient wife, ever comportable to your will and touch . . ." Only once did she pause and then her voice became lower. "This twenty years or more I have been your true wife, and by me ye have had divers children, although it hath pleased God to call them from this world . . . And when he had me at the first, I take God to be my judge, I was a true maid, without touch of man. And whether this be true or no, I put it to your conscience." Pressure was exerted to have her enter a convent and take vows but despite her great piety the cloisters were also rejected. Anne might occupy the royal bed but Catherine knew she was wife and Queen and no act of Henry could change the fact. This was the attitude firmly maintained to her death when with superb charity she wrote to her "Dear husband and King" and gave him her forgiveness. "For the rest, I commend unto you our daughter Mary, beseeching you to be a good father unto her, as I have heretofore desired. I entreat you also, on behalf of my maids, to give them marriage portions, which is not much, they being but three. For all my other servants I solicit the wages due them and a year more, lest they be improvided
for. Lastly, I make this vow, that my eyes desire you above all things."
Because of the failure of the divorce proceedings in Rome the mighty Wolsey lost the favor of his master and after a rapid series of degradations was charged with High Treason. A natural death intervened to save him from a shameful end and before he expired he uttered the pathetic words which were long to be remembered. "If I had served God as diligently as I have done my King, He would not now have given me over in my grey hairs." With the aid of evil Thomas Cromwell, master architect of terror, Henry made himself supreme head of the Church in England and with bloody prodigality the block and the gallows were invoked against the many who would not admit of this presumption. England's greatest Chancellor, the scholar who held the esteem of all Europe, joined the march to the scaffold. "I die," Thomas More said, "the King's good servant, but God's first." Monasteries were suppressed, churches and shrines robbed, yet the outward forms of religion were not changed in Henry's time: his rejection of papal authority brought no sympathy or tolerance for Protestantism or its author.
It was different on the continent. The Scandinavian countries were fast adopting Lutheranism, and Switzerland was falling under the influence of a similar-minded and equally eloquent ex-priest, Zwingli. In France the harsh and melancholy doctrines of Calvin were being given attention and in Hungary the prayers of the faithful were disturbed by the dreary wail of muezzins, calling to Allah, for the Turks had become masters of that country and a triumphant Mohammedan army even possessed Vienna.
After eleven unhappy years as Pope, Clement died unexpectedly, leaving both his spiritual and temporal domains in chaotic condition. His unfortunate pontificate marked
the end of the Renaissance and had witnessed the birth of the so-called Reformation; but it also cradled the stirrings of a real reformation within the Church for great forces and good men were at work with a sincerity and zeal and genius which could not be denied success. The Lateran Council had been warned that "men must be transformed by religion, not religion by men" and these words typified the new spirit. A unity of belief might have been lost but the faith that remained was to be the sturdier because of surviving the storms of doubt and oppression. Spontaneously the new mood invigorated both the secular clergy and the ancient Orders and also caused the formation of other groups of devoted men and women who were moved to unselfish service of God and mankind. There were the Capuchins, the Clerks Regular, the Theatines, the Barnabites, the Somaschi, the Lazarists, the Sisters of Charity, the Ursulines, and others. And the same year that Pope Clement died, an ex-soldier of noble Spanish birth, Don Inigo Lopes Ricalda y Loyola, better known to history as Ignatius of Loyola, banded together a small number of similar-minded friends and communicated to them his enthusiasm and plans. Thus, in Paris, was commenced the disciplined organization which from then on has ever been an important influence in the story of the Church. The Society of Jesus was on the march.
An astonishingly rapid election brought success and fulfillment to the plans and ambitions of Alexander Farnese, Paul III, who had been a cardinal for forty years. He was sixty-six years old and was of an ancient Roman family which, in adherence to the obnoxious custom, was now to be deluged with riches and honors. His sons and daughtersfor these, true child of the Renaissance that he was, he possessedwere favored in every way possible and two of his nephews, aged fourteen and sixteen, were
promptly made cardinals at the commencement of his reign. He had been a cardinal during the reign of Alexander VI and in some respects his life followed the Borgia pattern; yet he often was to display a majesty of purpose akin to that possessed by Julius II and at other times it would seem as though he were moved by the same high motives which had guided the austere Adrian. That he had enjoyed the favour of these popes, so varying in character, and of the Medici too, is proof enough of his skill in diplomacy, apropos of which an ambassador to his court complained that an annoying and typical trait of the Pope was a "scrupulous avoidance" of ever uttering a positive "Yes" or "No." Save for his extravagant nepotism he was an extremely cautious and sagacious man and he embarked upon a policy of wily neutrality between the ever clashing schemes of the French king and the Emperor. It was a difficult policy to maintain but for the first years of his pontificate it was to have a certain if uneasy degree of success. It was unforgivable that he should have bestowed the Red Hat upon his young relatives but most other cardinals of his creation were noted for their worthiness. The English bishop, John Fisher, languishing in prison and soon to lose his head on the block was thus honored and so too was another deserving Englishman, Reginald Pole, a cousin of Henry VIII, who was in Italy and so safe from the ire of his vindictive kinsman.
The menace of Turkish attack was seldom absent from the cares of Paul III. Rakish craft, their lateen sails emblazoned with the Crescent, their decks crammed with blood-hungry warriors, had become a terror to shipping in the Mediterranean until the Emperor, at the behest of the Pope and with money and galleys from the same source, stormed the piratical stronghold at Tunis and administered a thorough and salutary defeat. But when
war, despite the urgent entreaties of the pontiff, broke out again between France and Spain and the Emperor's troops became occupied in that direction, Barbarossa, daring chief of the Mohammedan buccaneers, recommenced his depredations upon the Italian coast and it became the boast of the Turkish Sultan that his seraglio would be moved to Rome. There were signs of panic in the Eternal City at this news for the potentate's announcement had strong chances of realization; but by the exercise of great and desperate ingenuity Paul caused an armistice to be declared between the Emperor and the French monarch and together they joined him in the formation of a Holy League. The Venetians, who held a treaty with the Turks, were persuaded that such a pact was wrong and they too became partners in the new alliance, and thus Rome remained unscarred by the scimitar.
Notwithstanding his own weaknesses Paul was acutely aware of other and less tangible evils which were besieging the papacy and with acrimony the more worldly of his cardinals were told "they should set an example to others by reforming themselves." To introduce peace and authority into the babel of contemporary theological dispute and to muster a united strength against the onslaughts of the papacy's antagonists Paul III made careful plans for the convocation of a General Council, for he was of the opinion that the voice of a Council was needed to reaffirm and clarify ancient dogma and to endorse authority. The scheme was commendable and simple in thought but in actual execution fraught with difficulty and danger. His own temporal strength was negligible and he had no wish, and there was the danger, for any one sovereign or nation to exert influence upon the decision of so important a body under the guise of patronage or protection. Prejudice and patronage must be avoided and the judgments of the
[paragraph continues] Fathers left unhindered. With all the genius of his diplomatic talent he fought desperately to have it so. The idea of the Council was received with enthusiasm, even by some of the Protestant princes, but as the Pope had anticipated there were many who saw the convention as an avenue for their own designs and innovations.
The support of the Emperor was necessary, indeed the approval of all Christians was desired, and unwearyingly the Pope toiled to gain the good will of all and the interference of none. The Emperor was sincerely enthusiastic for he readily perceived that under such auspices the Empire might be strengthened; but the Pope, with wider horizons beckoning, regarded the Imperial zeal with apprehension and even despair and many conflicts arose between the two regarding the policies, the procedure, and even the location of the Council. Usually it was the patient pontiff who was victorious but not without the penalties of strife. Charles was of the opinion that ecclesiastical discipline should be the first concern of the meeting but the Pope held to his plan that questions appertaining to doctrine should be settled before the discussion of a workable policy of discipline.
After many vexations and delays the Council assembled at Trent, in the Austrian Tyrol, on the 13th December, 1543, the eleventh year of Paul's reign. Ten times it was to meet during the remaining four years of his life and it was not to be formally dissolved, although on several occasions it suffered interruptions and a change of scene, until 1563. The decisions made and decrees issued, defining Catholic doctrine, provided splendid support for the champions of the Counter Reformation. By this time the Reformation was rapidly flowering to full development but the Council of Trent was, by a program of practical reform and definition, able to restore vigor to orthodoxy
and bring strength and hope to the faithful again. The storms of altercation following Luther's outburst, the long theological arguments, the many and confusing interpretations of the Gospels, the admitted need for clerical reform, had brought perplexity to many a simple priest and layman. But now all was to be made clear and the road illuminated. The dogmas of original sin, justification, the sacraments, were explained with exactitude and so too were many other subjects of attack and dispute such as the veneration of saints and the granting of indulgences. Errors in clerical conduct were not merely censured but were exhaustively examined and practical measures for removing abuses were promulgated and adopted. A system of reform was founded which could survive and indeed grow in strength. Precise in its condemnations, constructive in its suggestions, grand in its scope, the Council of Trent can rightfully be regarded as one of the great bulwarks of Catholicity. "Thus the Council," wrote the Protestant historian Ranke, "that had been so vehemently demanded, and so long evaded, that had been twice dissolved, had been shaken by so many political storms, and whose third convocation, even, had been beset with danger, closed amid the general harmony of the Catholic world . . . Henceforth Catholicism confronted the Protestant world in renovated collected vigor."
Paul III lived with all the gaudy and benevolent luxury of a Renaissance prince and Rome benefited in many ways from his generosity and his appreciation of the arts. New streets were built, churches restored, great bastions were erected, engineers worked diligently on new schemes of fortifications, and scholars toiled over the long catalogues of the Vatican library. Titian, like many a lesser colleague, was subsidized and the classic beauty of St. Peter's dome, superb symbol of the supreme authority, was raised by
[paragraph continues] Michael Angelo. Paul III had done well and should have died content but the fruits of his nepotism made his end miserable and unhappy. An ungrateful and predatory grandson, with clamor and with violence, was claiming the duchy of Parma as his personal property. "My sin is ever before me," grieved the dying Pope. "If they had not the mastery over me, then I should have been without great offence."
It took the cardinals ten weeks to select a successor, Giovanni Ciocchi del Monte, who took the name of Julius III. For a time, at this conclave, it seemed as though the votes would go to Reginald Pole but the conscientious Englishman refused to bargain or make promises and his moment passed. Later, when Mary became Queen, Pope Julius sent him to his native country as Legate and there he officiated as Archbishop of Canterbury, the last of his faith to take that ancient title. The new Pope was friendly with the Emperor, soon to be fighting the French again, but neither alliance with that forceful ruler nor the great responsibilities of his own position gave him the confidence or strength of purpose which had characterized the previous reign. When the Protestant allies of France invaded the Tyrol and caused an adjournment of the Council of Trent, resignation to circumstances was the attitude of the Pope. He seemed overwhelmed by the number and magnitude of his problems, and frankly abandoning all pretence of active policy he retired to the peace of his gardens. Fortunately such indolence was not reflected in the toiling body of the Church for this was the time of such men as the indefatigable Jesuit, Francis Xavier, who before embarking for hostile and unknown shores cheerfully told his fellow adventurers, "The greatest trials you have until now endured are small in comparison with those you will experience in Japan. Prepare
yourself for difficulties, by setting aside all consideration for your own interests." And later the pen of the same brave man inscribed: "I am journeying, deprived of all human protection, to the island of Canton, in the hope that a friendly heathen will take me over to the continent of China."
The pontificate of Julius III lasted five years. The next Pope was Marcellus II of whom much was expected, for as a cardinal and as a priest Marcello Pervino had earned an enviable reputation. Immediately after his enthronement he enthusiastically turned to the subject of reform and one of his first acts was to prohibit any member of his family from coming to Rome. Luxury was banned from his household and the customary elaborate ceremonies of coronation were avoided. In every way the hopes of the pious were fulfilled in the person of this pontiff but unfortunately their jubilance was brief for he was of delicate health and his reign ended abruptly, to the sorrow of all, after a mere twenty-two days. The name of Reginald Pole was mentioned again at the following conclave but he was absent in England and the Spanish influence which favored him was not strong enough to achieve its purpose. Elected instead, and after considerable balloting, was the seventy-nine-year-old Giovanni Pietro Caraffa whose advanced age showed no traces of senilitybut neither had it brought that mellowness of thought and judgment which usually comes with the years.
Paul IV was a severe and bad tempered old man, somewhat eccentric in manner, who often times affected the simplicity of a monk but on other occasions could formidably play the despot. He was of the reform school and was a founder of the first congregation of Clerks Regular yet he was not exempt from the disease of nepotism and one of his first actions as pope was to bestow
the Red Hat upon the head of his undeserving nephew, Carlo Caraffa. His support went to the French in the war with Spain; and guided by his nephew this policy brought matters to such a deplorable state that it was found necessary to employ Protestant mercenaries from Germany to protect the papal provinces from the invading army of the Duke of Alva. Meanwhile the French were defeated elsewhere and the Pope was forced to sue for peace, a costly and humiliating process for one so proud. His reign was characterized by the unbending severities of the true martinet and the punishments which came to those who crossed his will or broke the laws were as heavy as they were prompt. Eventually rumors came to him of the base conduct of his nephew and for once the ties of blood were spurned and the ungrateful and unfit wearer of the purple was expelled from Rome. Paul IV was an ardent supporter of the Inquisition, which as a cardinal he had reorganized, and wide use of its dreaded powers was made during his term. Even the Cardinal Morone, a highly respected member of the Sacred College, became enmeshed in the web of terrible accusation and to prison he went on the grounds of heresy. "Even if my own father were a heretic," said this Pope, refusing a petition for clemency, "I would gather the wood to burn him."
Reginald Pole was another object of his pessimism and suspicion but Pole was in England and had the wisdom to keep from Rome. Clergy of lesser rank looked nervously to their conduct when at one sweep a hundred vagrant monks were despatched to the galleys or to the dungeons. Mercy was a quality lacking in this stern old man and when he died, after being pope four years, the mobs rioted to show their pleasure and to hurl hatred upon his memory. Down toppled his statue to be broken and defiled and with similar demonstrations of insult and delight
the gates of the prison of the Inquisition were swept open and the inmates released.
Nearly four months dragged by before the next conclave was concluded and devious and ugly were the intrigues which hindered the cardinals from making a quick decision. "It is not of the least consequence," wrote the obnoxious Cardinal-nephew of Paul IV, "who will be Pope, the only thing of importance is that he who is chosen should realize that he owes the dignity to the Caraffa. This house does not enjoy any favor with the Spanish or French kings, and everything therefore depends on securing the favor of the future Pope, as otherwise the ruin of the family is assured." Other Italian clans had similar ideas and in addition to their dark activities there were the schemes of the various ambassadors, all determined to secure the election of a Pope who would favor their particular national interests. In such an atmosphere the most extravagant promises were made and cunning plots formulated; the audacious Ambassador of Spain even went so far as to gain, by window or secret door, access to the quarters of cardinals, supposedly shut off from the world, and there in the dim night hours whisper his bribes and subtly phrased threats. Finally, out of the tangle of discussion, the name of the Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Medici was proclaimed and this despite the fact that but a short time previously he had disturbed the conclave by remarking during a conversation with another cardinal that, "as regards the Germans, we should have to summon a Council to see if some concessions could not be made to them with regard to the marriage of priests and Communion under both kinds." That the startling statement did not prevent him from becoming Pius IV is indicative of the understanding his colleagues had of an
expansive nature which was tolerant and easy going to a fault.
In all ways he was unlike his dour predecessor and he was famous for his disregard of formality and ceremony, and the conduct of his private life was continually marked by homely incidents which endeared him to the public. He was a fat man and long appreciation of the pleasures of the table had brought the gout. Thinking to reduce his corpulence and nullify the encroachments of his sickness it became his habit to take long walks. These perambulations, much to the disgust of his court, were conducted at a rapid pace and for considerable distances. "Exercise," he affirmed, "maintains good health and keeps away illness, and I do not wish to die in bed." The traditional geniality which is ascribed to rotundity was indisputably his and the clouds of gloom and suspicion which had hung over Rome during the previous pontificate now disappeared. He displayed no ill-will to the arrogant nephews of Paul IV after his reception of the tiara, but their crimes were many and foul and their enemies so powerful and determined for revenge that retribution was inevitable. A particularly horrible murder within the hated family began the forces of its destruction.
The Duke of Paliano, brother of the Cardinal Carlo Caraffa, believed his wife unfaithful, and governed by extravagant ideas of honor he ordered her unfortunate supposed paramour dragged before him and then with shouts of rage he plunged his dagger again and again into the bound body of the wretch until he was dead. The drama became more horrible when the wretched Duchess, pregnant and crying her innocence, was strangled by her own brother, the Count dAlife. That the Cardinal Carlo Caraffa was a party, by knowledge and condonement, to the bloody wickedness could not be denied and with no
alternative possible the Pope reluctantly set the processes of accusation and judgment in motion. "If only to secure order," he said, "I have no choice but to bring the haughty nephews of Paul IV to submission." A long list of charges was prepared, varying from murder and high treason to heresy, and brought to justice was the Cardinal Carlo, his brother the Duke of Paliano, the brother-in-law the Count d'Alife, and a younger relative, the Cardinal Alphonso Caraffa. After a long trial the latter was pardoned but the others, despite their rank, were given the supreme penalty. All three faced the executioner with dignity, and a letter to his son by the fierce Dukewho was comforted by the Jesuits during his last hoursis a missive to remember because of its faith and beauty: "This paper contains, I believe, the last words and advice I shall be able to address you in this life," he wrote. "I pray God that they may be such as a father should address his only son. . . . Flee from sin and have compassion on the misery of others; practice works of piety, and flee from idleness, and conversations and pursuits which are not fitting for you; take pains to acquire some knowledge of science and letters, for these are very necessary for a true nobleman, especially for one who has power and vassals, as well as to be able to enjoy the sweet fruits of the Holy Scriptures, which are so precious for both soul and body. If you savour such fruits, then you will despise the things of this sorrowful world, and find no small consolation in the present life. I wish you to show indomitable courage at my death, not behaving like a child, but as a reasonable man, and not listening to the promptings of the flesh, or to the love of your father, or to the talk of the world. For your consolation ponder well the fact that whatever happens is ordained by the decrees of the great God, Who rules the universe with infinite wisdom, and,
Clement VII. Reigned from 1523 to 1534.
Click to enlarge
Pope Clement VII.
He excommunicated Henry VIII. See pages 247 to 254.
as it appears to me, shows me great mercy by taking me hence in this manner, rather than in any other way, for which I always thank Him, as you also must do. May it only please Him to exchange this my life for that other, the false and deceitful for the true. Do not be troubled by whatever people may say or write; say to everyone: My father is dead, because God has shown him great grace, and I hope He has saved him, and granted him a better existence. Therewith I die, but you shall live, bear no one ill-will of my death."
Conciliatory measures were employed with the rulers of Europe by Pius IV, and ably representing him in many important conferences north of the Alps was the Cardinal Morone who had suffered imprisonment because of the delusions of the late pope. Nepotism was not absent from Rome for this Pope had his nephews too, but for once the custom brought glory instead of disgrace: one of these relatives was the Cardinal Charles Borromeo, a truly devout and talented character devoted to reform and good works who was, under the dispassionate scrutiny of a later generation, to be judged worthy of canonization. The goodness and ability of the young Cardinal was responsible for the resumption of the labors of the Council of Trent and in several sessions many important and historic decrees were formulated and in turn confirmed and strengthened by papal Bull. The influence of Cardinal Borromeo did not wane with the death of his uncle for happily the next pope, Pius V, a true and zealous churchman, was of a similar mind and purpose and the work of reform swept on. The new pope was the former Cardinal Michele Ghislieri. He was born of poor parents and had been a member of the Dominican Order since his early youth. As a friar he had taught and preached for twenty-eight years, then episcopal responsibilities had
been given him and later had come the Red Hat and the stern duties of Inquisitor General under Paul IV. He had been well liked by that severe ruler and when he was given the supreme honor the people feared a return to the harsh discipline of the hated regime. There was, it is true, an immediate tightening of the laws, and justice was to move more swiftly than hitherto, but unlike his patron Pius V tempered strictness with mercy and understanding. He was determined Rome should be the model Capital of Christendom and a courtier, sighing for the riotousness of former days, complained that the entire city was taking on the air of a monastery. The courts were purged of bribery, the streets of prostitutes and thieves, and a ruthless war was made on corrupt officials and unjust taxes. The finances of the Papal States were subjected to critical and profound examination and many changes were made. When an enthusiastic official suggested a new scheme for bringing added revenues to the treasury, the Pope chided him and remarked that instead of amassing monies more thought should be given to collecting the allegiance of those nations which had broken away from the church. The papal army was reduced to a few companies, for he was averse to becoming embroiled in martial adventures; although his belief in the wide authority of the Holy See over the conduct of secular princes was unwavering.
This belief was responsible for the issuance of a Bull which excommunicated Elizabeth of England and released her subjects from their allegiance to her. The pronouncement was a mistake which only served to bring further resentment against Rome and misery to the English Catholics for the power of England was mounting, new triumphs were being won on and across the seas, and the Queen's name was tightly woven into the cloth of
national honor and patriotism. A few years after the papal sentence sturdy seamen, Protestant and Catholic alike, cheered for their good Queen Bess and merry England when they turned their small craft to meet the Armada. The vast array of great ships was laden with the flower of Spanish chivalry and carried the papal benediction but was doomed to an utter and terrible destruction.
Ambition had not brought the tiara to Pius V and he had wept when informed of the decision of the cardinals. But once elected he worked at the great duties with unflagging energy and scrupulous honesty. It was fortunate that such a man should occupy the papacy so soon after the conclusion of the Council of Trent. The value of his administration to the decrees and decisions of the Council can be likened to the worth of a good cannon to the proper ammunition. Drastic changes were made in Rome. The Curia was reformed, the conduct of the cardinals examined and criticized, and stern measures were undertaken to make bishops reside in their sees. Such important works as the Catechism and the New Breviary and the New Missal were published, the value of seminaries was emphasized, and a vigilant eye was turned upon both the secular clergy and the Orders. One cardinal, an irresponsible creature who owed his Hat to the laxity of a previous reign, was confined in a monastery and placed under the conscientious care of Jesuit chaplains. Indeed no great fondness was held for the majority of the cardinals and once when the Pope was ill he was heard to remark that he was sorry death was approaching, not because he was afraid to face his Maker, but because he was leaving on earth a Sacred College filled with conniving and undeserving men. The acquisition of his high rank had brought no great change in the lowly circumstances of his family, most of whom were forbidden to enter
[paragraph continues] Rome. "God has called me to be what I am, in order that I may serve the Church," he said, "and not that the Church might serve me." It is true that two nephews received his favor, if such a word can be applied to his austere patronage, but this was only because of his mistrust of the cardinals and the ceaseless intrigues kept in motion by the various ambassadors and faction leaders. In order to find a confidential secretary whose loyalty was beyond all doubt he turned to his family and thus his nephew Michele Bonelli who was also a Dominican became a cardinal. The Pope never quite forgave himself for this action and consequently made life miserable for his relative by a constant inquisitiveness as to his way of living and an equally constant criticism. The unfortunate prelate was seldom at ease and at any hour his larder, his table, his conduct, was liable to a surprise inspection from his uncle. His income was kept at a minimum, he was not allowed silver on his table, and he was even denied the consolation of his parents visiting him. His cousin, a soldier by profession, was made a Captain of the Papal Guard but from the beginning of his service he was in trouble with the Pope who expected his soldiery to live like monks. Finally the warrior, who had far different ideas, was arrested and hauled before the civil court where in the presence of his forbidding kinsman he heard that he was "to forfeit all his goods and revenues, and under pain of death to leave the Vatican within two days, the Borgo within three, and the Papal States within ten." It was a drastic sentence and nothing could induce the Pontiff to extend leniency.
Little escaped his stern eye, and the devotees of the bull fight learnt that "these spectacles, where bulls and wild beasts are baited in a circus or amphitheatre, are contrary to Christian mercy and charity, suitable to demons rather than men. We forbid all clerics, regular and secular, to
be present. . . ." His dislike of war did not prevent him from sending ships and men to Malta where the Knights were besieged by the Turks and later his encouragement helped mould a Christian Alliance which was able to inflict a shattering and decisive defeat upon the Turkish fleet at Lepanto. Throughout his entire reign he suffered from a painful disease which was finally the cause of his death. Pain was seldom absent from his tortured body but he never complained. "Increase, O Lord, my pains," he once cried, "so long as Thou wilt increase my patience also." He was not the kind of man to court popularity and when he had been elected there had been little rejoicing. But when he died there were true tears and the streets of Rome were silent with respect. It was as he would have wished, and so passed Pius V, the last of the popes whose memory has been honored by canonization.
In less than two weeks his successor was named, the seventy-year-old Cardinal Ugo Buoncompagni, Pope Gregory XIII, who as a youth had fully enjoyed Renaissance pleasures but who had with the progress of time turned to the sterner delights of duty and reform. As prelate and papal official he had served for many years with distinction and had won considerable renown as a jurist, but neither the course of righteousness nor the possession of judicial talent prevented him on becoming pope from lavishing favors upon two nephews and a son whom he frankly acknowledged. This son was made Governor of St. Angelo while his cousins were invested with the purple. Easy-going to a fault Gregory was inferior to his predecessor; nevertheless the good works begun in the earlier reign did not cease and they continued on before an impetus steadily supplied by individual churchmen and the Orders. The great and main attack of Protestantism had been halted and a vigorous and purified
[paragraph continues] Catholicism was on the increase. Gregory's chief accomplishments were in the field of education and no fewer than twenty-three new colleges opened their doors during his pontificate. Over two million Roman scudi were expended to help deserving but needy students and besides founding the English, German, Greek, and Maronite colleges in Rome the institution, later to be called the Gregorian College, which owed its existence to St. Ignatius was enlarged to accommodate scholars of all nations. Another inauguration to carry his name through the centuries was the calendar which supplanted the Julian calendar. Neither his relations with other sovereigns nor his temporal rule of the Papal States were blessed by good fortune and when he died after a three years' reign there were difficult problems of government and diplomacy both within and without the papal boundaries to greet his successor, Sixtus V.
The former Cardinal Felice Peretti, who as a boy had been a swineherd, was the son of a vineyard laborer and had entered the Franciscan Order in his early adolescence. In nature and bent he resembled his patrons Paul IV and Pius V rather than his immediate predecessor and from the beginning of his reign these stern traits were revealed. The brigandage and disorder which were disturbing the papal territories at the close of the former reign were stamped out by ruthless methods and by the end of his rule his temporal domain had become the most orderly in Europe and an empty treasury had become filled with gold. Imposition of new taxes accomplished this latter feat and it was not a way for him to win the cheers of either the nobles or the merchants; but he cared little for the applause of men and his only interest was his mission. The former swineherd was Pope and he was resolved to exercise without fear and with dignity the majesty
and authority of his office in all spheres. In support of the Catholic League he excommunicated the King of Navarre, heir presumptive to the French throne, in order to prevent a Protestant from ruling a Catholic nation. It was not a popular decision in France and later the monarch, after becoming a Catholic, was as Henry IV, to make peace with another pope. Sixtus also supported Spain in that country's disastrous war with England, but despite the utmost pressure he would not endorse the Spanish King's designs upon France. Grandiose schemes were propounded by him for the complete overthrow of the Turkish Empire and he dreamed of joining the Red Sea with the Mediterranean and "thus restoring the commerce of the ancient world." Preservation of the historic beauty of Rome and additional architectural projects were tasks he assumed with enthusiasm and an ingenious system, both practical and ornamental, of nobler and wider avenues in the city was devised and commenced.
The important decree was issued in this reign which limited the membership of the Sacred College to a maximum number of seventy cardinals and these were ranked in three divisions, six bishops, fifty priests, and fourteen deacons. The rule was to stand and equalling it in importance was the bull Immensa issued by the same pope which systemized the centralized government of the Church by forming fifteen Congregations, each consisting of churchmen and officials of varying rank, to assume in specialized departments the burden of detailed administration. Thus, with no diminution of his authority, an immense amount of routine work was lifted from the person of the pope.
The five years in which Sixtus occupied the throne of St. Peter were crowded with wise and good works but there were some blemishes to mar the recordhis severity and
his nepotism. For he too succumbed to what by this time appeared to be a papal tradition and a fourteen year old relative was elevated to the cardinalate. There can be no justification for such an act; but the contemporary mind was neither surprised nor shocked, and as with former and later reigns the hateful practice was accepted by the majority of both clergy and people with that equanimity which is the due of precedent and tradition. After the death of Sixtus three worthy but ancient prelates in rapid succession and within sixteen months were elected to the papal throne. No grave mistake or scandal can assault their reputations but neither can any of the three be credited with the deeds that are born of exceptional leadership or great initiative. The same pope, Gregory XIII, had made them cardinals on the same day and they were all of an equal age, past seventy. The first to follow Sixtus was Giovanni Batista Castagna, Urban VII, noted for his charities and diplomatic skill. He reigned thirteen days and then came Nicolo Sfondrato of Cremona who in honor of his patron took the name of Gregory XIV. The policies of preceding pontificates remained unchanged during his term which did not last a year and then called was the Cardinal Giovanni Facchinetti who became Innocent IX. Within a few months he too was in his tomb and the Sacred College, after great discussion, decided that the Cardinal Ippolito Aldobrandini should be Pope. He took the name of Clement VII.
The choice was a bitter blow to Spanish hopes and indeed the far seeing policies of the new pontiff were to effect a tremendous change in the destiny of that country which was now at the peak of its glory. Clement "by peaceful means, little by little, without disturbance or excitement, but with all the more security," was to strengthen the independence of the papacy by effecting
happier relations with France and this circumstance was one of the factors which halted the expansion of Spanish power and made way for the decline of a proud and great nation. During the preceding pontificates Spanish influence upon the diplomatic course of the papacy had gradually become so strong that when Clement took his throne he felt Rome was almost the vassal of Madrid. This meant that the enemies of Spain were automatically on ill terms with the Holy See and no great perception was needed by the pontiff to realize the danger of a permanent rupture with France, the most hated foe of Spain. Henry IV, master of France, had been excommunicated; but now, seeking the united allegiance of his subjects he was imploring to be readmitted to the communion of the Church. Was it the gesture of one who was alleged to have remarked "Paris is well worth a mass," or was the prince truly sincere in his repentance? It was a delicate problem for the Pope. If he were over-severe, schism would be assured and France surely would go the way of England; but if he were foolishly lenient then contempt for papal authority would grow everywhere. A constant clamor of both plea and threat came from the nations involved but the cautious and conscientious Pope trod the difficult and torturous path of negotiation with extraordinary diplomatic skill and never once was principle or scruple sacrificed. He well realized that independence of the Holy See demanded relief from the ever growing dominance of Spain and that relief was possible only with France active as a counter balance; yet the sentence of excommunication could not be lifted lightly, and often the French envoys were in despair. "Would to God," the Pope told an official, "that we could trust Henry. But what has he done to deserve absolution? . . . Is it enough that he now once makes the Sign of the Cross?"
At length repeated argument and evidence convinced him that the prince indeed was truly penitent and with a great and solemn ceremony, and much to the consternation of Spain, the dreaded sentence was lifted. "I have no words to praise the kindness of Your Holiness as it deserves," Henry wrote with gratitude. "My life henceforth shall have no other purpose than to glorify God by meritorious obedience. . . ." The extravagant promise was never to be completely fulfilled but an alliance had been made which brought advantages to both Pope and King. France remained a Catholic country and the papacy was no longer at the mercy of the pretentious dictates of Philip II of Spain who was an absolutist and harbored ambitions of functioning as a kind of Pope-Emperor. When the Duchy of Ferrara was left empty of a legitimate heir the Spanish king presented a candidate to contest the claims of the Pope; but supported by the new friendship of France, Clement was able to remain firm and in the end the Duchy was returned to the Papal States. In pursuance of the papal dream of a united and tranquil Christendom the Pope was able on several occasions to act as a peacemaker between the nations: products of his diplomacy were the Peace of Vervins between Spain and France and the Treaty of Lyons between the latter nation and Savoy. | <urn:uuid:459a73a6-a073-42e1-8e5b-9313ec0116d3> | {
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Nostradamus [Public Domain Image]
Nostradamus, The Man Who Saw Through Time
by Lee McCann
Interest in Nostradamus goes through cycles, usually coinciding with periods of uncertainty and conflict. At the beginning of World War II people turned to Nostradamus for clues as to how and when that conflict would be resolved, and to look for indications that somehow he had prophesized it. Some used Nostradamus for propaganda, or profit, or publicity. Of course, this was also the case after the attacks of September 11th, 2001.
This book, published in the early days of World War II, is partially a biography of Nostradamus, partially a historical novelization of incidents in his life, and an attempt to associate his predictions with historical and future events. McCann is at his best in the former parts of the book. He immerses us in the life and times of Nostradamus. Although many of the episodes are fictionalized, they make pleasant reading and appear to be historically accurate. The attempts to match Notradamus' predictions with historical events of the rennaissance are for the most part very well reasoned, and range from plausible to 'hmmm...'.
The book concludes with a rather long section bearing on events of the twentieth century. This part feels tacked on, as if the publisher was eager to get a 'tie in' to current events. McCann hypothesized that the war would continue until late in the forties, and would end because of the restoration of the French monarchy, specifically that a pretender to the throne would be crowned as Henry the Fifth. Naturally, this falls far short of the mark, but it creates perspective for current and future attempts to make specific predictions based on the cryptic quatrains. | <urn:uuid:eda4ecd9-7b70-4b63-828f-53ce530bd3d5> | {
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The nursing profession remains overwhelmingly female, but the representation of men has increased as the demand for nurses has grown over the last several decades, according to a U.S. Census Bureau study released yesterday.
The new study shows the proportion of male registered nurses has more than tripled since 1970, from 2.7 percent to 9.6 percent, and the proportion of male licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses has more than doubled from 3.9 percent to 8.1 percent.
The study, Men in Nursing Occupations, presents data from the 2011 American Community Survey to analyze the percentage of men in each of the detailed nursing occupations: registered nurse, nurse anesthetist, nurse practitioner, and licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse. The study also provide estimates on a wide range of characteristics of men and women in nursing occupations. These include employment status, age, race, Hispanic origin, citizenship, educational attainment, work hours, time of departure to work, median earnings, industry and class of worker.
“The aging of our population has fueled an increasing demand for long-term care and end-of-life services,” said the report's author, Liana Christin Landivar, a sociologist in the Census Bureau's Industry and Occupation Statistics Branch. “A predicted shortage has led to recruiting and retraining efforts to increase the pool of nurses. These efforts have included recruiting men into nursing.”
Men typically outearn women in nursing fields but not by as much as they do across all occupations. For example, women working as nurses full time, year-round earned 91 cents for every dollar male nurses earned; in contrast, women earned 77 cents to the dollar men earned across all occupations.
Because the demand for skilled nursing care is so high, nurses have very low unemployment rates. Unemployment was lowest among nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists (about 0.8 percent for both). For registered nurses and licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, these rates were a bit higher, but still very low, at 1.8 percent and 4.3 percent, respectively.
* There were 3.5 million employed nurses in 2011, about 3.2 million of whom were female and 330,000 male.
* Of the employed nurses (both sexes), 78 percent were registered nurses, 19 percent were licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, 3 percent were nurse practitioners, and 1 percent were nurse anesthetists.
* While most registered nurses (both sexes) left home for work between 5am and 11:59am (72 percent), a sizable minority (19 percent) worked the evening or night shifts.
* The majority of registered nurses (both sexes) worked in hospitals (64 percent). The majority of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses worked in nursing care facilities or hospitals (about 30 percent each). The percentages for hospitals and nursing care facilities are not significantly different from each other.
* In 2011, 9 percent of all nurses were men while 91 percent were women. Men earned, on average, $60,700 per year, while women earned $51,100 per year.
* Men's representation was highest among nurse anesthetists at 41 percent.
* Male nurse anesthetists earned more than twice as much as the male average for all nursing occupations: $162,900 versus $60,700.
The American Community Survey provides a wide range of important statistics about people and housing for every community across the nation. The results are used by everyone from town and city planners to retailers and homebuilders. The survey is the only source of local estimates for most of the 40 topics it covers, such as education, occupation, language, ancestry and housing costs for even the smallest communities. Ever since Thomas Jefferson directed the first census in 1790, the census has collected detailed characteristics about our nation's people. Questions about jobs and the economy were added 20 years later under James Madison, who said such information would allow Congress to “adapt the public measures to the particular circumstances of the community,” and over the decades allow America “an opportunity of marking the progress of the society.” (US Census) | <urn:uuid:dd1fe7fc-e680-407a-be13-97bfcd053012> | {
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It's Pumpkin Time
- Grades: PreK–K, 1–2, 3–5
It’s October, fall is here, Halloween is near, all of which means — it’s Pumpkin time! This month we are diving into pumpkins hands first. Before my class could fully experience pumpkins, we started out by reading a lot of books. Last week I shared a few of my favorite fall books. This week I am sharing one more book, specifically about pumpkins, along with some science activities that relate to all of them.
Getting in the Mood
We began our week by reading the story It's Pumpkin Time by Zoe Hall. Later, I will make the book available in the listening center. After reading the story, we made an anchor chart about pumpkins showing what we know about them and what they need to grow. My students were very excited to share their experiences with me. Many have even planted their own pumpkins in the past. We followed this discussion up with a short sequence activity of how to grow a pumpkin
I brought several pumpkins of different sizes into the classroom for the students to observe. We picked the largest one to determine its circumference. As I passed around a skein of white yarn, the students each cut off a piece hoping it was the exact length to circle the largest part of our pumpkin. After taping their names to their pieces of yarn, we used a separate color for the actual length needed and compared the lengths on our large class graph. We had one student guess exactly!
Will It Sink or Float?
Taking our largest pumpkin and one of our smaller ones, I asked the class to predict whether they would sink or float. Some students remembered our coconut experiment and thought that because the pumpkins were bigger than a coconut, they would sink. After everyone made and charted their predictions, it was time to fill the container with water and see what would happen. We put in the small pumpkin, and it floated. The students were very excited, but some were still certain that the big pumpkin would sink. They were surprised when I submerged the large pumpkin in the water and it popped up to the surface. We repeated the experiment the following day using pumpkin seeds and, again, students predicted what would happen. Then placing a few seeds in a small container of water, we watched the seeds float to the top.
Experiencing the Pumpkin
I posted a note on our parent communication board asking for pumpkins and received a very generous donation of 11. With help from a wonderful parent volunteer, we cut off the tops of the pumpkins to show the students what was inside. I divided the class into groups of two and let anyone who wanted to stick his or her hand inside to feel around and describe the sensation. After everyone had a chance to feel the "guts," each pair scooped out the seeds and pulp into containers to observe. As they scraped and pulled out the stringy pulp and seeds, I walked about the classroom observing and listening to their conversations. Some students were "grossed-out" by the entire process, others were so excited they could hardly contain their enthusiasm, and for some it was their very first experience.
Using their fingers, they sifted and sorted through the pulp, pulling out the seeds. Once the seeds were separated from the pulp, the students counted them with their partners into groups of tens. We used clear portion cups to hold the seeds. I made sure to pair students who are unable to count objects to ten with more capable students. We also made a chart as we counted the cups. This was a great opportunity to practice counting by tens and a chance to revisit tally marks. We stopped counting the seeds after we had reached 2,000. We filled a gallon bag with the seeds. I took all of the seeds home to wash and cook. We enjoyed the seeds the following day during our snack time.
Growing Our Own Pumpkin
After reading about using a pumpkin as a planter to grow pumpkins, I decided this would be a great experience and a fun science activity to try with my own class. To start, we cut off the top of a pumpkin. Leaving all the seeds and pulp inside, we added some soil and then water. I was afraid to leave the pumpkin outside over the weekend, and this turned out to be a big mistake as the only thing that grew was mold. I wiped off the mold and placed the decaying pumpkin outside our back door and left it. After doing a little research, I decided to try it again with a smaller pumpkin and less water. Again, we cut open the pumpkin and added soil, but this time we only added a 1/2-cup of water. We then placed the pumpkin outside our classroom in the sun. Each day we are adding just a little water, no more than 1/2 a cup. With any luck we will have a sprout very soon. Meanwhile, we thought we would observe the decaying pumpkin I had left outside each day to see what would happen. After only one week of adding the soil, we noticed a sprout! Now we are waiting for our smaller pumpkin to sprout as well.
Pumpkins Are Everywhere
In math we used pumpkins to create patterns. The most popular one was the AB pattern. After students created their pattern strips, we turned them into headbands.
We also made a sequence book about the life cycle of the pumpkin. Students practiced reading and retelling the story before taking it home to share with their family.
Another favorite daily activity is our pocket chart poem. This week our poem is about pumpkins, of course. Each day students take turns pointing to the words while read along.
We finished our week with a pumpkin glyph. The students answered questions about pumpkins to create their glyphs.
We have had a lot of fun this week while learning at the same time. We will continue to watch our "pumpkin in a pumpkin" grow. Our plan is to transfer it into our new school garden when the garden is complete. I know my students will be talking about these experiences for a long time. | <urn:uuid:1d4d5707-dc94-4fad-9304-dd1ac04c087d> | {
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Schoolcraft County’s history is as deep as the forests and lakes which attracted its original Native American settlers, and the generations of pioneers who discovered --- and continue to discover --- what this beautiful area has to offer.
The first Europeans believed to have visited the area were members of French explorer Jean Nicolet’s expedition, who passed through the area in the summer of 1634 in search of a route to the Orient (they got as far as Green Bay). In the fall of 1679, Rene Robert de La Salle visited the area abroad the Griffen, the first sailing ship to ply the Great Lakes.
The early Native American residence, most of whom were members of the Ojibwa tribe, settled around Indian Lake and at the mouth of the French-named Manistique River. In 1832, the “Snowshoe Bishop” Fredric Baraga established a Catholic mission on the eastern shore of Indian Lake. It was also during this time that Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, Michigan’s first Indian Agent and the county’s namesake, was mapping the area, documenting the lives of tribal residence and negotiate treaties. Schoolcraft County was officially organized in 1871, with Manistique designated as the county seat.
The county’s first major industry was lumber. Beginning in the early 1880s, logging companies began extracting timber from the vast forests of white pine. The little town of Seney, with its rail access to St. Ignace and Marquette, and river route to Manistique, became a center of the logging boom. During its heyday, Seney was a bustling town of more than 20 saloons, 10 hotels, several stores and about 3,000 residents.
Much of the timber harvested from the county’s forests was floated down the river to Manistique, where it was milled, loaded on ships and sent to communities around the Great Lakes and beyond. But by the turn of the century, what had seemed inexhaustible resources was gone: The forests had been stripped, and the reign of “King Pine” was over.
Southwest of Manistique, on the Garden Peninsula in Delta County, is the site of another major 19th century industry. During the mid-1800s raw iron ore was being shipped at tremendous expense from the Upper Peninsula mines to the foundries in the lower Great Lakes. To make the process more cost-effective, a smelting operation was built at Fayette. From 1867 until it closed in 1891, Fayette’s blast furnaces produced more than 229,000 tons of iron, using local hardwood for fuel and native limestone t purify the iron ore.
Despite the demise of the timber and iron ore industries, many Schoolcraft residents stayed on, supporting their families through fishing, farming, and small business. Pulpwood and paper manufacturing, and limestone mining and processing, developed into major industries. The area’s abundant wildlife, temperate summers and clear lakes and rivers had long been a favorite vacation retreat from the hustle and bustle of the Midwest’s cities, and with the increase in winter-related recreation, tourism grew into a major component of the county’s economy.
Residences are proud of their area’s rich heritage, and they keep their history alive at a number of museums and historic sites. The Bishop Baraga Mission and Indian Cemetery, at Indian Lake, features replicas of the early log mission and surrounding bark dwellings. Manistique is a jumping of point to visit four historic Upper Peninsula lighthouses: the Manistique East Breakwater Light, Seul Choix Point Lighthouse and Museum, Peninsula Point Lighthouse and Sand point Lighthouse and Museum.
The Schoolcraft County Historical Park, in Manistique, features a museum and a historic 200-foot-tall brick water tower which has recently been restored. The 80-year-old structure, listed on the National and State historic registries, is located near the city’s unique Siphon Bridge. The bridge is part of a concrete flume built in 1919 to channel water to the paper mill.
Fayette State Historic Park features a museum, and a ghost town of 19 structures that includes several public and commercial building, residences and the ruins of the blast furnace complex. From ghost towns to lighthouses, Schoolcraft County offers fun and education insights into the past for visitors of all ages. | <urn:uuid:753383a1-5025-4717-b2bc-e21934283cb0> | {
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Anti Gravity: When Hippos Go Bad; January 2000; Scientific American Magazine; by Mirsky; 1 Page(s)
Imagine a sport-utility vehicle interested in mating. That frightening scenario roughly captures your typical hippopotamus in rut. Hippos are big and surprisingly fast, able to reach speeds of 25 miles per hour. Unfortunately, anything of that size and speed may do inadvertent damage when in pursuit of an amorous adventure. Thus did a tragic death recently befall one Jean Ducuing, the director of a zoo near Bordeaux.Ducuing was killed by a charging hippo that may have been seeking intimacy with, or dominance over,nearby farm equipment.
The sex life of the hippo is far stranger than this incident illustrates. For one thing, hippos in the wild not only have sex,they host it.Back in 1994, researchers publishing in the Canadian Journal of Zoology announced the amazing finding of a species of leech, Placobdelloides jaegerskioeldi, for which hippos are a secret love nest. In the researchers' own words: "Evidence suggests that mating in P. jaegerskioeldi is restricted to the rectum of the hippopotamus." ( Restricted being the operative word.) | <urn:uuid:8a470c29-998f-4833-9c6c-1fc1ee7fd2f2> | {
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July 17, 1998 July 15, 1998: A unique levitation furnace that flew on the Space Shuttle in 1998 is being eyed for upgrades to fly on future Shuttle and International Space Station missions.
"TEMPUS on MSL-1 provided it was operationally reliable," said Dr. Ivan Egry, the project scientist at the German Space Agency (DLR). "I am really surprised at how much scientific data we are still squeezing out of it."
Egry spoke Tuesday morning to the third Biennial Microgravity Materials Science Conference sponsored by NASA.
TEMPUS - built by the DLR and used jointly by DLR and NASA - is the German acronym for containerless electromagnetic processing in weightlessness. That, simply put, is what TEMPUS does. An electromagnetic coil inside the TEMPUS facility positions metal samples with about 1/1,000th the force needed on the ground to work against gravity and keep the samples from touching the container walls. A second coil pumps in radio wave energy - a bit like a microwave oven - to melt the sample.
This approach is vital in a number of research areas because touching the container walls will instantly cool the sample and levitation on the ground often involve forces great enough to disturb the sample. Scientist don't want either to happen when they are trying to make precise measurements of fundamental properties that can help them refine manufacturing processes on Earth.
TEMPUS flew on the Microgravity Sciences Laboratory-1 mission in 1998, and on the second International Microgravity Laboratory (IML-2) in 1994. Data are still being analyzed, but Egry gave a preview Tuesday, including benchmark data that will let scientists correct the surface tension measurements for one type of metal, and make the first-ever reliable viscosity measurements.
"Many things were surprising," Egry said when asked about the data from TEMPUS. Among them were the first experimental measurements of the electrical conductivity of cobalt-palladium in both its liquid and solid states.
TEMPUS demonstrated its value by making repeat measurements that matched very closely with one another. Consistency is crucial when one is trying to establish basic physical properties. For example, one line of experiments involved cooling metals, such as zirconium, far below their normal freezing point and then recording the point where they froze, how much heat they gave off, and other details. The zirconium sample was put through 120 melt/freeze cycles.
"It's really amazing to see how one undercooling cycle follows the other," Egry said as he showed a graph showing precise repeatability in the data.
All told, the MSL-1 mission hosted 22 experiments comprising 197 hours of test run and 437 melting cycles.
Spurred by this success, DLR is looking at adapting TEMPUS to fly on Spacelab, and to incorporate better sample handling and video capabilities, and a broader temperature range. DLR also is looking at an Advanced TEMPUS that would allow scientists to replace samples in orbit - so the furnace would not have to be brought back - and add other improvements to enhance the science.
Editor's Note: The original news release, with images and related links, can be found at: http://science.msfc.nasa.gov/newhome/headlines/msad15jul98_2.htm
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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center--Space Sciences Laboratory.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.
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Sep. 24, 2002 Penn State engineers have optimized an energy harvesting circuit so that it transfers four times more electrical power out of vibration – the ordinary shakes and rattles generated by human motion or machine operation.
Using their laboratory prototype, which was developed from off-the-shelf parts, the Penn State researchers can generate 50 milliwatts. Although they haven't tried it, they believe the motion of a runner could be harnessed to generate enough power to run a portable electronic music device. By comparison, simple, un-optimized energy harvesting circuits, for example the type used to power LEDs on "smart" skis, can only generate a few milliwatts.
The researchers say the new circuit offers an environmentally friendly alternative to disposable batteries for wearable electronic devices or for wireless communication systems. In addition, the circuit could be used in sensor and monitoring networks that manage environmental control in office buildings, robot control and guidance systems for automatic manufacturing, warehouse inventory; integrated patient monitoring, diagnostics, drug administration in hospitals, interactive toys, smart home security systems, and interactive museums.
The new circuit is described in a paper, "Adaptive Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Circuit for Wireless, Remote Power Supply," published in the September issue of the journal, IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics. The authors are Geffrey K. Ottman, former Penn State master's degree student; Dr. Heath Hofmann, assistant professor of electrical engineering; Archin C. Bhatt, former Penn State master's degree student; and Dr. George A. Lesieutre, professor of aerospace engineering and associate director of the Penn State Center for Acoustics and Vibration.
Lesieutre explains that, like other energy harvesting circuits, the new Penn State device depends on the fact that when vibrated so that they bend or flex, piezo-electric materials produce an alternating or AC current and voltage. This electrical power has to be converted to direct current or DC by a rectifier before it can be stored in a battery or used. Hofmann adds that the magnitude of the piezoelectric material's vibration determines the magnitude of the voltage: "Since, in operation, the amount of vibrations can vary widely, some way must also be found to adaptively maximize power flow as well as convert it from AC to DC."
Using an analytical model, the team derived the theoretical optimal power flow from a rectified piezoelectric device and proposed a circuit that could achieve this power flow. The circuit includes an AC-DC rectifier and a switch-mode DC-DC converter to control the energy flow into the battery.
The Penn State researcher notes that using an approach similar to one used to maximize power from solar cells, the team developed a tracking feature that enables the DC-DC converter to continuously implement the optimal power transfer and optimize the power stored by the battery.
The circuit is the first to include an adaptive DC-DC converter and achieves about 80 percent of the theoretical maximum – well above the operating output of simple energy harvesting circuits.
The research was supported by a contract with the Office of Naval Research.
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Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.
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Mar. 27, 2011 Researchers from the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) have discovered the existence of a black hole 5.4 times greater in mass than that of our Sun, located in the X-ray binary system XTE J1859+226. The observations carried out from the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), managing to obtain the first spectroscopic data from this binary system to be published, have been determinant for the discovery.
X-ray binaries are stellar systems composed by a compact object (which may be a neutron star or a black hole) and a 'normal' star. The compact object sucks matter out of the star and adds it slowly to its own mass, through a spiral disc formed around it. This process of absorption is known as acretion. Only 20 binary systems, out of an estimated population of around 5,000 within our Galaxy, are known to contain a black hole.
XTE J1859+226 is, in particular, a transient X-ray binary located in the Vulpecula constellation. It was discovered by satellite RXTE during an eruption registered in 1999.
"Transient X-ray binaries are characterised for spending most of their life in a state of calmness, but occasionally entering eruption stages, during which the rhythm of acretion of matter toward the black hole is triggered," Jesús Corral Santana explains, an astrophysicist from the IAC, who led the work published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS).
Neutron stars as well as black holes are the remains left by a massive star after its death. Most of the known neutron stars have a mass around 1.4 times that of the Sun, though in some cases, values up to over twice the mass of the Sun have been measured. Astronomers believe that when greater than tree times the solar mass, neutron stars are not stable, and end up collapsing and forming a black hole.
For Corral-Santana, "measuring the mass of compact objects is essential to determine what kind of object it may be. If it's greater than three times the solar mass, it can only be a black hole. We found that XTE J1859+226 has a black hole more than 5.4 times greater than the mass of the Sun. It's the definitive confirmation of the existence of a black hole in this object."
"With this result we add a new piece to the study of the mass distribution of black holes. The shape of this distribution has very important implications for our knowledge about the death of massive stars, the formation of black holes, and the evolution of X-ray binary systems," the IAC astrophysicist adds.
Twelve years of observation: measuring the visible and the invisible
The astrophysicists' team at IAC hadn't lost track of the stellar object since it entered an eruption stage in 1999, when they started to set up observation campaigns to follow its evolution. The researchers have combined the photometric measures from the Isaac Newton Telescope (INT) and the William Herschel Telescope (WHT) in year 2000, and those from the Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT) in 2008, with the spectroscopy carried out with the GTC in 2010, the first one ever published about this particular object.
"Due to the low brilliance of the system under observation, we needed 10 meter telescopes in able to obtain spectra. In this sense, having been able to make our observations from the GTC has been determinant," Corral-Santana emphasises.
The measurements at the GTC were carried out with the OSIRIS instrument, which may be used as a camera or as a spectrograph in the visible range. The spectrograph decomposes the light emitted by a star into its different frequencies and allows detecting lines corresponding to the different chemical elements present in its atmosphere. These lines adduce information about the physical properties of the star and its movement.
The photometric measures allowed determining the orbital period of the binary (6.6 hours), while the spectroscopy data also provided information about the speed of the star's orbital movement around the black hole. The combination of both of these parameters proved to be vital to calculate the mass of the back hole.
The Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), located at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (in La Palma, Canary Islands), is the biggest optical-infrared telescope of the World, with a 10.4 metre diameter mirror.
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- J. M. Corral-Santana, J. Casares, T. Shahbaz, C. Zurita, I. G. Martínez-Pais, P. Rodríguez-Gil. Evidence for a black hole in the X-ray transient XTE J1859 226. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters, 2011; DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-3933.2011.01022.x
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Aug. 15, 2011 Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have devised a much easier technique for performing a chemical modification used widely in the synthesis of drugs and other products.
Known as "trifluoromethylation," the modification adds a CF3 molecule to the original compound, often making it more stable -- and, for a drug, keeping it in the body longer. With the new technique, chemists can perform this feat using a relatively simple, safe, room-temperature procedure and can even select the site of the modification on the target compound.
"I've been presenting this methodology at several pharma companies, and there's a lot of interest -- so much so that their chemists are starting to use it," said Scripps Research Professor Phil S. Baran, senior author of the new study, scheduled for publication the week of August 15, 2011, in an advance online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Standard procedures for trifluoromethylation involve gases and associated hardware, high heat, metal catalysts, and oxidants. "The procedures are often prohibitively complicated, and medicinal chemists often don't have the time or the resources to get into it," said Baran.
Inspired by frequent consulting visits to pharmaceutical companies, Baran and his lab began to look for simpler ways to perform trifluoromethylation. After running more than 500 different reaction setups on a test compound, they found just one that delivered significant quantities of the desired reaction product. It was a simple setup that used a reagent known as sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate, an inexpensive chemical that is stable at room temperature.
Chemists had long believed that this reagent was unsuitable for trifluoromethylating a broad class of molecules frequently found in drug compounds, and also that the reagent required the use of catalyzing metal salts. But in this initial screening, the reagent, known as Langlois's reagent for its discoverer, the French chemist Bernard R. Langlois, seemed to work even without such constraints.
Baran and his team began collaborating with fellow Scripps Research chemistry Professor Donna Blackmond and members of her laboratory to study how Langlois's reagent works and to optimize its use, including the selection of trifluoromethylation sites on target compounds using certain solvents. With the optimized technique, they showed that they could directly and easily trifluoromethylate a variety of test compounds, including the natural malaria drug quinine and the synthetic anti-smoking drug varenicline (Chantix).
"The collaboration with Donna Blackmond and her lab was crucial in enabling us to improve the procedure and to understand why certain modifications led to those improvements," said Baran.
The new technique in principle makes it more feasible for pharmaceutical companies to modify and improve specific drug compounds of interest. It also means that these companies can expand the existing compound libraries they use for drug-discovery screening by making trifluoromethylated versions of these compounds quickly and easily.
"In one instance, a chemist at Pfizer told me that the trifluoromethylated compound we made in one step with our technique would have taken at least eight steps using standard techniques," said Baran.
The Baran and Blackmond labs are now working on new reagents that may be used in this reaction and ways to enable fine control of trifluoromethylation sites. "The interplay of the two labs at the nexus of synthesis and mechanistic analysis is driving this project forward in new and exciting directions," Baran said.
The two first authors of the paper, "Innate C-H Trifluoromethylation of Heterocycles," are Yining Ji and Tobias Brueckl of the Scripps Research Baran lab. Others who contributed are Ryan D. Baxter of the Scripps Research Blackmond lab and Yuta Fujiwara, Ian B. Seiple, and Shun Su of the Baran lab.
The work was supported in part by a grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, part of the National Institutes of Health.
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- Yining Ji, Tobias Brueckl, Ryan D. Baxter, Yuta Fujiwara, Ian B. Seiple, Shun Su, Donna G. Blackmond, Phil S. Baran. Innate C-H trifluoromethylation of heterocycles. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2011; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1109059108
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June 11, 2012 In a pair of related studies, scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have identified several proteins that help regulate cells' response to light -- and the development of night blindness, a rare disease that abolishes the ability to see in dim light.
In the new studies, published recently in the journals Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) and The Journal of Cell Biology, Scripps Florida scientists were able to show that a family of proteins known as Regulator of G protein Signaling (RGS) proteins plays an essential role in vision in a dim-light environment.
"We were looking at the fundamental mechanisms that shape our light sensation," said Kirill Martemyanov, a Scripps Research associate professor who led the studies. "In the process, we discovered a pair of molecules that are indispensible for our vision and possibly play critical roles in the brain."
In the PNAS study, Martemyanov and his colleagues identified a pair of regulator proteins known as RGS7 and RGS11 that are present specifically in the main relay neurons of the retina called the ON-bipolar cells. "The ON-bipolar cells provide an essential link between the retinal light detectors -- photoreceptors and the neurons that send visual information to the brain," explained Martemyanov. "Stimulation with light excites these neurons by opening the channel that is normally kept shut by the G proteins in the dark. RGS7 and RGS11 facilitate the G protein inactivation, thus promoting the opening of the channel and allowing the ON-bipolar cells to transmit the light signal. It really takes a combined effort of two RGS proteins to help the light overcome the barrier for propagating the excitation that makes our dim vision possible."
In the Journal of Cell Biology study, Martemyanov and his colleagues unraveled another key aspect of the RGS7/RGS11 regulatory response -- they identified a previously unknown pair of orphan G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that interact with these RGS proteins and dictate their biological function.
GPCRs are a large family of more than 700 proteins, which sit in the cell membrane and sense various molecules outside the cell, including odors, hormones, neurotransmitters, and light. After binding these molecules, GPCRs trigger the appropriate response inside the cell. However, for many GPCRs the activating molecules have not yet been identified and these are called "orphan" receptors.
The Martemyanov group has found that two orphan GPCRs -- GPR158 and GPR179 -- recruit RGS proteins and thus help serve as brakes for the conventional GPCR signaling rather than play an active signaling role.
In the case of retinal ON-bipolar cells, GPR179 is required for the correct localization of RGS7 and RGS11. Their mistargeting in animal models lacking GPR179 or human patients with mutations in the GPR179 gene may account for their night blindness, according to the new study. Intriguingly, in the brain GPR158 appears to play a similar role in localizing RGS proteins, but instead of contributing to vision, it helps RGS proteins regulate the m-opioid receptor, a GPCRs that mediates pleasurable and pain-killing effects of opioids.
"We are really in the very beginning of unraveling this new biology and understanding the role of discovered orphan GPR158/179 in regulation of neurotransmitter signaling in the brain and retina," Martemyanov said. "The hope is that better understanding of these new molecules will lead to the design of better treatments for addictive disorders, pain, and blindness."
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- Y. Cao, J. Pahlberg, I. Sarria, N. Kamasawa, A. P. Sampath, K. A. Martemyanov. Regulators of G protein signaling RGS7 and RGS11 determine the onset of the light response in ON bipolar neurons. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2012; 109 (20): 7905 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1202332109
- C. Orlandi, E. Posokhova, I. Masuho, T. A. Ray, N. Hasan, R. G. Gregg, K. A. Martemyanov. GPR158/179 regulate G protein signaling by controlling localization and activity of the RGS7 complexes. The Journal of Cell Biology, 2012; 197 (6): 711 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201202123
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Francis Willis (1718-1807)
Francis Willis trained at Oxford as a clergyman. For most of his life he ran a small private asylum in the Lincolnshire countryside where he cared for men and women struggling with mental health problems. Willis’s fame and clientele grew. Local officials pressured him to get a medical degree, which he earned from Oxford aged 41, but his skills came mainly from experience, not study. Willis’s methods were diverse. They involved orthodox medical practices such as blistering and crude psychological tactics like coercion. He also knew when to appeal to his patients’ good sense and humanityand often encouraged them to take responsibility for their actions. His most lasting fame came in his seventies when he treated King George III. Later doctors, particularly Philippe Pinel, heralded Willis as a pioneer of what became known in the 1800s as moral treatment. | <urn:uuid:2da5d2d4-3996-4c8e-b06d-d932fcc2f9c8> | {
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7 When artists, anthropologists and neuroscientists gather at The Brain Unravelled in London through September 19, their creative efforts will range from paintings to performances to mixed-media works. In addition to the exhibition, which includes a children’s area, the event offers a daily program of film screenings, concerts, artist talks and lectures by renowned scientists. Informed by the latest research, the speakers will delve into the relation between brains and minds, plumbing the deepest reaches of human experience: our consciousness.
9 Charles Darwin, in his 1871 book The Descent of Man, provoked his contemporaries by suggesting not only that our physical traits had evolved over time but also that our mental faculties had not always been as keen as they are today. At the conference Evolution of Brain, Behaviour & Intelligence in Cambridge, England, international scientists will discuss advances made since Darwin’s time, drawing on results from species as diverse as unicellular organisms and Neandertals. Darwin biographer James Moore will deliver the keynote lecture.
12 In Huntington’s disease, genetic mutations cause a protein known as Huntingtin to become toxic to the brain, leading to movement disorders, problems swallowing and speaking, and eventually dementia and death. Hundreds of researchers and clinicians will convene in Vancouver at the 2009 Congress on Huntington’s Disease to discuss advances in our understanding of the disorder as well as the latest results from experimental treatments.
24 Will neuroscience transform national security? Is a brain-dead person alive or dead? Could new findings in brain science undermine moral and criminal responsibility? These are a few of the controversial questions that experts will take on at BRAIN Matters: New Directions in Neuroethics, a cross-disciplinary conference hosted by the Novel Tech Ethics research team at Dalhousie University.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
1 As many as half of us may suffer from a mental disorder at some point in our life. Added to the burden of illness is the social stigma that people with mental health problems face. The Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival, sweeping over the country until October 22, tries to raise positive awareness about these issues through a series of concerts, film screenings and theater performances. This will be the third year for the festival, which is the largest of its kind in the world.
8 Ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience will collide at Mind and Life XIX, a two-day conference presided over by the Dalai Lama himself. Exploring the emerging intersections among their different fields, a panel of educators, scientists and contemplatives will discuss ways to promote personal and societal health. The Mind and Life Institute’s ultimate goal? To inspire a view of education that will “create compassionate, engaged, and ethical world citizens.” | <urn:uuid:7d2414a3-c891-49ea-a666-ad9b7cf9ae1b> | {
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Congresswoman Lois Capps.
Democrats on Capitol Hill want a hearing to examine the safety of nuclear power plants in the United States. A California Congresswoman is asking whether the San Onofre and Diablo Canyon nuclear power plants are tough enough to survive a big quake and its aftermath.
The Diablo Canyon nuclear plant north of Santa Barbara operates in the district of Democratic Congresswoman Lois Capps. She has written to the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission to ask whether Diablo Canyon can withstand the “sort of earthquakes scientists predict” it could experience.
Capps says she's "been concerned for a while because since the last review of the licensing, there’s been a whole new fault discovered. So that on top of events in Japan, I want a thorough review of their preparedness and their ability to respond."
Capps says Diablo Canyon is built to withstand a 7.5-magnitude quake. PG&E, which operates the plant, says it was built on an 85-foot bluff to protect it from tsunamis. One of the reactors at Diablo Canyon is 25-years-old. PG&E has applied to renew its operating license for another two decades.
But Republican Congressman Brian Bilbray of San Diego cautions about jumping to conclusions when it comes to nuclear power plants in quake prone California. Bilbray says there are geographic and design differences between San Onofre and Fukushima.
"First of all," he says, "our earthquake fault is inland, over about 80-100 miles, so a major earthquake would not create the tsunami on the San Andreas the way the other ones," he says. "The big difference is that our backup systems are in the hillside, sealed up, and even if they were breached, are designed to operate underwater."
Bilbray points out that the Japanese quake was 10-times larger than the so-called “big one” in California, referring to the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. | <urn:uuid:79f94088-6859-4fc1-a998-2b8bcbaae548> | {
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|Arabic Level 2 Class:
This is an elementary level class which will expand upon the student's basic skill levels gained in the Arabic Intro class. The vocabulary learned in this class will relate to family life, work, and the extended family. Students will also become more familiar with introductions and conversation skills. By the end of this course students should be able to easily hold a basic conversation about themselves, their family, their home, their work, and their likes and dislikes. Grammar points covered in this class include the construct phrase (idaafa), sentence structure (subject and predicate), continued study of the present tense, and possessive pronouns. Chapters 1-3 in the textbook Al-Kitab 1 will be covered as well as several supplemental resources. | <urn:uuid:dee1f01a-a427-4d8e-b5d6-6297e09c77ef> | {
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Species: Octopus vulgaris
, the Common Octopus.
Members of the class cephalopoda are carnivorous hunters. They have the most advanced nervous system of all invertebrate animals and are an important example of advanced cognitive evolution in animals. O. vulgaris
is the most studied of all octopus species and possesses excellent eyesight, capable of distinguishing shapes, textures, and colour. It is the only animal which has been conclusively shown to use tools, and is proficient at learning simple processes such as unscrewing a jar.
Cephalopods are able to release dark pigment into the water as an escape mechanism, which in the past has been extracted and used by humans as an ink or dye. The word sepia comes from the Latin word for cuttlefish, s?pía
This ring is made using 3D Printing.
It is available in either stainless steel
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Lifestyle Changes Help Type 2 Diabetics Keep Moving
WEDNESDAY, March 28 (HealthDay News) -- Weight loss and regular exercise help prevent disability in obese people with type 2 diabetes, according to new research.
After four years, 21 percent of people enrolled in a lifestyle-intervention program focusing on diet and physical activity had severe disability compared with 26 percent of those enrolled in a diabetes support group. What's more, the lifestyle-intervention group had about half the risk of losing their mobility compared to the support group.
"The lifestyle intervention combined caloric restriction and increased activity," said study author, W. Jack Rejeski, a professor of health and exercise science at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, in Winston-Salem, N.C. "More of the lifestyle intervention group remained in the good-mobility category. And, that was with modest changes. Just a 6 percent change in body weight helped to ward off an important outcome."
Results of the study are published in the March 29 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
The study included slightly more than 5,000 overweight or obese adults who had type 2 diabetes. All were between the ages of 45 and 74, with an average age of 59. The researchers excluded anyone with a hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) above 11 percent. HbA1C is a long-term measure of blood-sugar control, and the American Diabetes Association generally recommends that people with diabetes should aim for an HbA1C of less than 7 percent. They also excluded people with very high blood pressure or high triglycerides (a type of blood fat).
At the start of the study, just one-third of the study volunteers reported good mobility. That means around two-thirds had at least some type of mobility disability, according to the study.
The volunteers were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. The first included lifestyle interventions to lose weight and get more physical activity. The goal in this group was to lose more than 7 percent of body weight and exercise more than 175 minutes a week, according to the study. The second group was a diabetes support and education program.
To evaluate mobility, the researchers asked the study volunteers how well they could perform certain activities, such as running, lifting heavy objects, pushing a vacuum cleaner, playing golf, climbing a flight of stairs, bending, kneeling, stooping, walking more than a mile or walking one block.
At the end of four years, those in the lifestyle intervention group had a 48 percent reduction in mobility-related disability compared to the support group.
Almost 39 percent of the lifestyle intervention group reported good mobility at the end of the study compared to 32 percent of those in the support group, according to the study.
For every reduction of 1 percent of body weight, there was a 7.3 percent reduction in the risk of mobility disability. For every 1 percent improvement in fitness, there was a 1.4 percent drop in the risk of mobility disability. But, Rejeski pointed out that doing both interventions is best for your overall health.
"If all you do is lose weight, the danger of losing muscle mass is greater. The message is that you need to lose weight and be active to enhance your function and not lose muscle mass," he said.
Dr. Joel Zonszein, director of the clinical diabetes center at Montefiore Medical Center, in New York City, said lifestyle changes are as important as medications. "Papers like this continue to show how important lifestyle changes are," Zonszein said. "But, the issue always is in the implementation. We can tell patients to exercise and lose weight, but we don't have the resources to follow up as they do in clinical trials."
For people who want to make changes on their own, Rejeski recommended trying to cut calorie consumption to about 1,800 calories a day. Then, he said, find a place to walk -- the mall, a walking path, a school track -- and get a walking buddy so that you can each keep the other one accountable. If you haven't exercised in a while, start by walking just a little bit, and then the next day add a few more steps. "Eventually, you'll make progress. And, the lower your function was to start with, the more you'll notice the change," he said.
Current U.S. government recommendations are to exercise at a moderate pace for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
Learn more about how exercise can benefit you from the U.S. National Institute on Aging.
SOURCES: W. Jack Rejeski, Ph.D., Thurman D. Kitchin professor, health and exercise science, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, N.C.; Joel Zonszein, M.D., director, clinical diabetes center, Montefiore Medical Center, New York City; March 29, 2012, New England Journal of MedicineRelated Articles
- Age Amplifies Damage From Obesity, Study Finds
May 17, 2013
- Fitness in Middle Age May Help Shield Men From Cancer Later
May 16, 2013
Learn More About Sharp
Sharp HealthCare is San Diego's health care leader with seven hospitals, two medical groups and a health plan. Learn more about our San Diego hospitals, choose a Sharp-affiliated San Diego doctor or browse our comprehensive medical services.
Copyright ©2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved. | <urn:uuid:bd3d0b0d-2b12-4697-a3dc-313182a4730f> | {
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The drowned man represents any number of mythological or epic historical figures, and we'll go through them one by one. First off is the name the villagers assign him: Esteban. Who is this Esteban? As it turns out, Esteban is another name for Estevanico, a slave from the early 1500s who was supposedly the first man born in Africa to set foot in the Americas. Estevanico (or Esteban) became a legendary figure in Latin America, and was later given a set of incredible skills – he mastered dozens of languages, knew everything about medicine, was even considered by some to be a deity, or so the story goes.
When the women of the village call the drowned man Esteban, they might very well be referring to this Estevanico. (At the end of the story, the women imagine a captain speaking of Esteban's village "in fourteen languages" (12). This may be a reference to the myth that Estevanico spoke so many languages fluently.)
When the oldest women calls the drowned man Esteban, Márquez writes that some of the younger women hoped it might be Lautaro. In the mid 1500s a war occurred in what today is Chile between the colonizing Spaniards and the native Mapuche people. In this conflict, Lautaro was a military leader of the natives. The drowned man's handsomeness and sheer masculinity inspires the young women to fantasize that he is this famed leader. There are some interesting questions to consider here: why is it that the older women's thoughts turn to the Esteban, while the younger women think of Lautaro? And why is it that, once they get a better look at the drowned man, everyone agrees that it is Esteban, rather than Lautaro?
Many scholars have also pointed out that the drowned man is a shade of Quetzalcoatl, an Aztec god. The drowned man in many ways takes on the role of a deity for the villagers. He arrives from some other world (the sea), is essentially worshipped by the villagers, and permanently changes their lives.
Mythology in this story isn't limited just to the drowned man. The entire tale is rooted in mythological history; even the villagers take on mythological roles themselves by the end of the narrative. When the women weep for the drowned man at his funeral, Márquez writes, "Some sailors who heard weeping from a distance went off course and people heard of one who had himself tied to the mainmast, remembering ancient fables about sirens" (12). This comment is an allusion to Greek mythology.
Some background on the sirens. The sirens were half-women, half-bird creatures who lived on an island. They used to sing in beautiful voices to lure sailors off their course. The sailors would head towards the voices and then crash their ships on the jagged rocks, which pretty much meant death. When Odysseus was sailing by the siren's island, he made the rest of his men plug up their ears and tie him to the mainmast. This way, he got to hear the beautiful sound of their voices without being driven to suicide. Here in "The Handsomest Drowned Man," the women weeping over Lautaro are compared to the sirens, and some sailor going by ties himself to the main mast in an attempt to mimic Odysseus. The point is that through the drowned man, the villagers enter the realm of the mythological themselves.
The allusions to Esteban, Lautaro, Quetzalcoatl, and Odysseus's sirens illustrates the magical realism we've been mentioning. (If you haven't read "Genre" yet, go ahead and take a look.) "The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World" is exploring this mingling of the real (a little fishing village) with the mythological (a magnificent dead man). | <urn:uuid:1a5035c5-addf-4589-ab9d-24537eba0771> | {
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A Red, Red Rose Questions
Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- Should Burns's strange spellings (e.g. "luve") be modernized, changed, or altered? What are the advantages and disadvantages of modifying the spelling?
- How do you think the fact that Burns was a farmer affected his poetry? What about this poem in particular?
- How do you feel about a poet rhyming the same word (e.g. "luve" and "luve" in the fourth stanza, "dear" and "dear" in the third stanza)? Is that taking the easy way out? Or is there another way to spin it?
- Why do you think the poem's first line—"my luve is like a red, red rose"—has remained popular for so long?
- What does it really mean to compare love to a rose? To a "melodie"?
- Isn't this just a standard love poem? What's so great about it?
- If Burns took these lines from old Scottish tunes, how come we call this a Burns poem? Isn't it just a rehash of other folks' stuff?
Next Page: Best of the Web
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Simply SQL is a practical step-by-step guide to writing SQL. You’ll learn how to make the most of your data using best-practice SQL code. Rather than bore you with theory, it focuses on the practical use of SQL with common databases and uses plenty of diagrams, easy-to-read text, and examples to help make learning SQL easy and fun.
SQL is the language used by all major database systems today. SQL has been around for about 30 years, but is enjoying a real renaissance in the 21st century, thanks to the tremendous success of database-driven web sites.
Whether your web site is written in PHP, ASP, Perl, ColdFusion, or any other programming language, and no matter which database system you want to use—MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, DB2, Oracle, or any of the others—one fact is almost certain: if you want to have database-driven content, you’ll need to use SQL.
SQL is a simple, high-level language with tremendous power. You can perform tasks with a few lines of SQL that would take pages and pages of intricate coding to accomplish in a programming language.
Who Should Read This Book?
If you’re a web designer or developer looking for guidance in learning SQL for your web projects, this book is for you.
In the early days of the Web, everyone was a web developer. Nowadays, the field has matured to the point where many different disciplines exist. Two broad categories emerged:
- Web designers are responsible for what web site visitors see. This includes the design, graphics, and layout of the site. It also includes designing the functionality of the site, how it works, with considerations for the usability of site features.
If you’re a web designer, you can benefit from learning SQL—at least at a rudimentary level—because it will help you design better user interactions. Understanding how SQL works means that you can make life simpler for the developers who will im plement your designs: by ensuring that the web site is organized in a way that not only serves the web site visitor, but also allows for simple SQL and good database design. We’ll cover both SQL and database design in this book.
Web developers are the primary audience for the book. Using several simple web application examples, we’ll explore all aspects of SQL and database design that are required by web developers to develop efficient and effective web pages. The sample applications in this book really are quite simple, and you may already be familiar with one or more of them, just by using them on the Web.
Of course, database use goes beyond dynamic web sites. For example, databases are also used in desktop and network applications. So even if you’re working with a non-web-related application, the chances are good that you’re still working with a database that uses SQL. The SQL you learn in this book can be applied in all situations where a database is used.
Who Is the Author?
Rudy Limeback is an SQL Consultant living in Toronto, Canada. His SQL experience spans 20+ years, and includes working with DB2, SQL Server, Access, Oracle, and MySQL. He is an avid participant in discussion forums, primarily at SitePoint. His two web sites are http://r937.com/ and http://rudy.ca/.
This book comprises the following chapters. In the first eight chapters, we’ll learn about SQL, the language, its various statements and clauses, and how to use SQL to store and retrieve database data. These chapters are organized to provide first an introduction to the SQL language, then an overview of the SELECT statement, followed by an examination of each of the SELECT statement’s clauses. In the last three chapters, we’ll learn how to design databases effectively, taking into consideration column data types, table relationships, primary and foreign keys, and so on.
Why this separation? Why do we postpone learning about designing tables until well after the SELECT statement has been thoroughly dissected? Because effective database design requires an understanding of how SQL works. You must walk before you can run. If you’re new to SQL, you’ll want to focus on learning SQL first, rather than be prematurely sidetracked on the whys and wherefores of database design issues.
No-risk Money-back Guarantee
Of course we’re so confident that you’ll treasure this book for years to come that we’re happy, as always, for you to try it risk-free for 30 days. If you purchase a copy of Simply SQL and you think it fails to be everything you wanted, we would like you to have your money back.
Simply contact us and we will see to it that you receive a prompt and courteous refund of the full purchase price.
What could be fairer than this?
How To Order This Book
‘Simply SQL’ is provided as a download in Adobe PDF, Amazon MOBI and ePUB formats, so you can begin reading it within minutes of making your purchase on almost any device you own.
And of course, it's so easy to carry a whole library of PDFs with you (on a laptop or pen drive) that you'll never need to be caught without a solution to a problem again.
This title is not available in hard copy, printed format.
The Digital ePack for this book contains three formats (Adobe PDF, Kindle's MOBI and ePUB, which you are welcome to use on any device you own.
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Our promise to you... Order direct from sitepoint.com and receive:
- The very latest editions of all our books
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- 30 day money-back guarantee | <urn:uuid:657e1ad7-25ec-43a7-93f0-9f761427e7fb> | {
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& Tornado Alley
the Programming Language
A Language for Symbolic Computation
through the Processing of Lists
There are primarily two computer languages used in artificial intelligence work, LISP and PROLOG. LISP, which is short for List Processing, was created by John McCarthy of Stanford University. It looks klutzy but it is based upon the lamba calculus and works quite well for computation associated with artificial intelligence. PROLOG has an elegant formulation but it does not have the range of application that LISP has. The Japanese when they formulated the Fifth Generation project chose PROLOG over LISP as the programming language. This was perhaps one of the factors that contributed to the failure of the Fifth Generation project.
HOME PAGE OF Thayer Watkins | <urn:uuid:bfb69420-bb97-4807-ab29-878736b74ff1> | {
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Do you know which language is the official language of 21 countries in the world, spanning four continents? It's Spanish (or Espa-ol), of course! Spanish is not only the official language of Spain and Mexico, but also of many countries in South and Central America. Which other countries can you name? Did you know that it's also the official language of a country in Africa? Equatorial Guinea lies on the western coast of Africa and its two official languages are Spanish and French.
Not all Spanish sounds the same and not all Spanish words mean the same thing in each country.
Many Spanish words have been incorporated into the English language. Did you know that the word "burrito" actually means "little donkey?"
Have you ever heard of someone naming a car "won't go?" Not many people would want to buy that car. That's exactly why the Chevrolet Nova didn't sell in Spain and Latin America. "No va" means "won't go" in Spanish.
The United States territory Puerto Rico means "rich port." The Central American country Costa Rica means "rich coast." The state of Colorado's name is actually from the Spanish word meaning "red." Nevada means "snowy" or "snowed upon" in Spanish. Do you know what state's name comes from an old Spanish term meaning "earthly paradise?" California. Can you think of any other common names that stem from the Spanish language?
Have you heard the saying "Mi casa es su casa?" It's a sign of hospitality that means "my house is your house." In English we might more commonly say "make yourself at home." In some parts of India, a salary is called "pagar," which in Spanish means "to pay."
Many names are actually Spanish words as well. For example, a "bandera" is a flag so the actor Antonio Banderas' name means "flags." Geraldo Rivera's last name means "riverbank" or "riverside" in Spanish, as does the name of the great Mexican artist Diego Rivera. "Rivera" looks like the word "river" in English but the word for "river" in Spanish is actually "ri-!"
Spanish is all around us. What other words of Spanish origin can you find?
-- Gwendolyn Gallace, Spanish teacher, Jefferson, Maine.
*** Try to figure out what the Spanish poem, La Boda (right), says!
Hoy en este amanecer,
Suenan las campanas sin cesar,
Los musicos tocan su música,
Porque la boda ya va a empezar.
La gente se levanta,
Al ver la novia entrar,
Con su vestido blanco,
Y con una alegra
Que no puede dejar.
Atras de ella,
Los pajes tiran flores,
Con sus caritas peque-as,
Y sus vestidos de muchos colores.
Al fin la novia para,
Y atras voltea,
Por su novio espera.
El novio ahora camina,
Hacia su novia bella,
Nervioso y feliz,
Pero siempre pensando en ella.
Mientras la ceremonia sigue,
Un angel del cielo viene,
Les da amor y felicidad,
De la que el tiene.
El angel les dice,
Que vivan felices y llenos de alegra,
Y que el amor siempre encuentren,
Dia tras dia.
-- por Marian Urias, 11 a-os de edad, Mexicana, 6th grade, El Paso, Texas. | <urn:uuid:81543595-0ce9-4ed0-87d7-a10aa382f354> | {
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A Field Guide to Supernova Spectra
Both types exhibit a wide variety of subclasses. Type Ia is of no interest because these stars don't emit neutrinos. Types Ib and Ic are thought to undergo core collapse like Type II supernovae and, therefore, should emit neutrinos.
As Maurice Gavin explains in "The Revival of Amateur Spectroscopy", low-resolution spectra of objects as faint as magnitude 13 or thereabouts are accessible to modest amateur equipment. (A few superposed 20-minute exposures with a 12-inch telescope or so should produce an adequate image.) But what will supernovae spectra look like especially shortly after the outburst begins as captured by small telescopes and low-resolution spectrographs?
Here's your field guide. To prepare it, we started with high-resolution, calibrated spectra supplied by Alexei Filippenko (University of California, Berkeley). Then, to simulate Gavin's CCD results, we degraded the spectra to a resolution of 50 angstroms per pixel. Finally, and with dramatic results, we changed the intensity along each spectrum to reflect variations in the unfiltered sensitivity of popular CCD chips the KAF-0400 from Kodak and the ICX055BL from Sony. Thus, what you see here is what you will get! (Astrophotographers using panchromatic emulsions will record spectra that look much like the originals.) | <urn:uuid:0144adaf-17ca-4b41-b201-32a6d62c4484> | {
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Life cycle approach to child and adolescent health
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on Dec 18, 2011 Says :
Its valuable content& Greatful If you please can you make mor concern in psychological problems for these age group
on Apr 15, 2009 Says :
normal growth and development of adolescence
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Slide 1 :
Life cycle approach to child and adolescent health Eva Kudlova Charles University of Prague
Slide 2 :
Overview Health is indivisible, requiring holistic approaches throughout the individual's life. Healthy outcome at one point in the life-cycle, provides a positive determinant for health elsewhere in the cycle. The presentation describes main environmental and socio-cultural challenges for each of the stages of child and adolescent life. Both, prevention of ill health and care for illnesses are important at all times but the balance between them shifts over time during the childhood and adolescence. Main actions necessary to meet the child and adolescent needs are described as well.
Slide 3 :
Slide 4 :
Life course approach Healthy outcome at one point in the life-cycle, provides a positive determinant for health elsewhere in the cycle. What happens in pregnancy and the very early stages of childhood will have a profound impact on child and adolescent development. Growth and development of young children enhances the possibilities for development during the school age period and in adolescence. This will be carried through into adulthood and old age. Health and development of the 0-19 age group links intimately, at both ends of the range, with reproductive health. Health during childhood is in part determined by the health of the mother, in turn affected by factors such as the nutrition of adolescent girls and the avoidance of early pregnancy. These factors, in turn, are influenced by healthy growth and development in childhood. An investment early on will result in a lifetime of economic, social and personal benefits. Both, prevention of ill health and care for illnesses are important at all times but the balance between them shifts over time during the childhood and adolescence in relation to in risks encountered during the particular life-stage.
Slide 5 :
Some health problems are phase-specific; others continue from birth to adulthood unwanted/mistimed pregnancies asphyxia birth trauma preterm birth, low birth weight sex selective abortions, infanticide neonatal tetanus, sepsis, MTCT of HIV INFECTIOUS DISEASES: pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria, measles, meningitis, HIV asthma helminthiasis emotional disorders, depression, suicide substance use (tobacco, alcohol and other harmful drugs) eating disorders unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions INJURIES: burns, falls, poisoning, drowning ACCIDENTS: household road traffic INTER- PERSONAL VIOLENCE Malaria & other endemic tropical diseases Tuberculosis Malnutrition & micronutrient deficiencies Malformations & disabilities INFECTIOUS DISEASES: sexually transmitted infections, incl.HIV © WHO
Slide 7 :
Global initiatives addressing child and adolescent health & development
Slide 8 :
External factors influencing outcomes of the mother and child health cycle
Slide 9 :
Physical environment Our health is determined to a very considerable extent by the physical environment in which we live - the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat and the built environment all exact their toll. Young children are particularly susceptible to environmental threats: rapid development of immune, respiratory and nervous systems, development of metabolic functions. Any irritants encountered during the early stages of growth may permanently impair the development of vital organs. Children breathe more air, drink more water and eat more food than adults do per unit body weight, and this higher rate of intake results in greater exposure to pathogens and pollutants . Small children learn by exploring their world (put their hands and objects in their mouths, crawl and play on the ground) and are at risk from pathogens and pollutants from these surfaces. Close parental care and supervision is crucial to the safe and healthy development of young children.
Slide 10 :
Social factors The social circumstances in which children and adolescents grow to maturity are of paramount importance. Peer pressure, family values, mass communication, the school environment, and social and gender norms all exert a considerable influence on lifestyle. Over the past decades, many countries in the European region have experienced rapid socio-political change, economic hardship, increased insecurity, conflict and even war. The health-related behaviour of adolescents is a function of all these pressures. Differences in the health experience of boys and girls are apparent in all countries due to: lower socioeconomic status of women in some settings, differences in biology, or to social behaviours and gender norms.
Slide 11 :
Nutrition A balanced diet that provides optimum nutrition, together with a clean water supply, are crucial to every stage of development from pre-conception through to later life. Poor nutrition is associated with a reduced resistance to disease, impaired physical and psychological development, and infant morbidity and mortality. An inadequate diet can lead to deficiency disorders and/or contribute to civilization diseases. In recognition of the food's essential role in promoting and protecting health the European states endorsed the First Action Plan for Food and Nutrition Policy.
Slide 12 :
Poverty Poverty is a major determinant of health. Inequities related to economic situation affect both physical and mental health. Poor children grow up in less healthy environments and are more likely to suffer the effects of pollution. Overcrowded housing is associated with a lack of safe areas for play. Accidents and crime are more prevalent; a poor diet and lack of physical activity are more likely. Poverty places maternal and newborn health at risk and has a deleterious impact on mental health. Relative poverty within countries may be even more important than absolute poverty. Relative poverty is growing at a more rapid rate in Europe and central Asia than anywhere in the world. In some European countries as many as 26% of children live in relative poverty.
Slide 13 :
Pregnancy A healthy start to life is essential. A woman’s health directly influences the health and development of her child. Access to timely and responsive health services, including skilled birth attendants at the time of delivery, is essential. Maternal mortality varies enormously across the European region, ranging from 6 per 100,000 live births in Switzerland to 41 per 100,000 in some eastern countries.
Slide 14 :
Main risks of pregnancy
Slide 15 :
Main risks of pregnancy: Unsafe abortions The starting point in the life-course of health and development is : every baby should be a wanted baby. Unwanted pregnancies may lead to: unsafe abortions, child neglect, malnutrition, disease, and social problems. This implies effective contraceptive advice and availability as young people approach puberty and during their reproductive years.
Slide 16 :
Main risks of pregnancy: Malnutrition and anaemia Inadequate nutrition in the very early stages of development can have an impact throughout an individual's life. In many European countries, micronutrient deficiency diseases co-exist with disorders of energy excess that result from a lack of fruit and vegetable intake. Malnutrition and anaemia, in pregnant women in low-income countries are a significant threat, as they can severely impact a foetus’ growth and development and result in long-term consequences. Eliminating malnutrition among pregnant women would reduce disabilities among their infants by almost one third.
Slide 17 :
Main risks of pregnancy: Congenital abnormalities Congenital abnormalities are the second leading cause of death in high-income countries. In the US, these anomalies, along with sudden infant death syndrome and premature birth, account for > 50 per cent of all infant mortality. About 3-10% of these cases have been attributed to exogenous and environmental agents. Exposure during the early months of pregnancy can lead to an increased likelihood of mental retardation and development disabilities. The scope for reducing unnecessary disability and ill health is also considerable, through the application of interventions that are already known to be effective such as: vaccination against rubella (causes birth defects in 90% of children if contracted early in pregnancy), avoiding alcohol and stopping smoking.
Slide 18 :
Main risks of pregnancy: Infections Mothers can be the vectors for transmitting communicable diseases to their babies. Although the absolute numbers remain relatively small, mother-to-child transmission of HIV has increased dramatically in Eastern Europe. In the Ukraine, for example, infection rates in pregnant women rose from 0.005 per 10 000 in 1996 to 17 per 10.000 only four years later. For the child, infection is the major killer during pregnancy and after birth, as well as low birth weight due to intrauterine growth retardation and/or pre-term birth.
Slide 19 :
Neonatal period The first 28 days of life are critical. During this time the child is at highest risk for death. Of the approx. 10 million children under 5 years of age, who die each year, about one-third die in the neonatal period. Ninety-eight percent of all neonatal deaths occur in developing countries. Perinatal conditions, many of which are significantly influenced by environmental conditions, account for 20 per cent of the under-five mortality rate worldwide.
Slide 20 :
Slide 21 :
Main risks of neonatal period
Slide 22 :
Improving neonatal health Improving newborn survival will dramatically reduce infant mortality worldwide. Neonatal health is largely a product of: socio-economic circumstances, access to appropriate services at the time of delivery as well as during the antenatal period, and parental education. Success in reducing neonatal mortality requires many components: caring families, availability of adequate healthcare, ability to recognize when a sick child needs professional care, good nutrition, and support from communities.
Slide 23 :
Early childhood Each year more than 10 million children in low-and middle-income countries die before they reach their fifth birthday. Seven in ten of these deaths are due to just five preventable and treatable conditions: pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria, measles, and malnutrition, and often to a combination of these conditions. Over 40% of the global burden of disease is attributed to environmental risks that affect children under five, although this age group only accounts for 10% of the world's population. Many biological environmental factors associated with this high toll, among them the lack of clean water and sanitation, as well as environmental-related diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.
Slide 24 :
Slide 25 :
Main risks of early childhood
Slide 26 :
Main risks of early childhood: Poor nutrition and growth Inappropriate nutrition is a major cause of poor health outcomes. Globally 27% of children under 5 years are underweight and there are wide variations also between the European countries. Appropriate feeding practices: stimulate psycho-social development, lead to improved nutrition and physical growth, lead to reduced susceptibility to common childhood infections and better resistance to cope with them. Much has already been done to promote breastfeeding. Increasing breastfeeding prevalence rates are reported from a number of countries. Continuing great concern led WHO to develop a global strategy for infant and young child feeding (IYCF).
Slide 27 :
Main risks of early childhood: Poor development It is essential to provide a stimulating environment for psychosocial development. The development of intelligence, personality and social behaviour occurs most rapidly in humans during their first three to four years. Parents are the children’s earliest teachers. Strengthening the ability of the mother and all family members to care for and stimulate their children and encourage them to learn can set the stage for adult success.
Slide 28 :
Main risks of early childhood: Frequent illnesses Many of the childhood communicable illnesses can be avoided through the efficient organization and management of immunization programmes. World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF addressed the care for illnesses in young children by developing a strategy “Integrated Management of Childhood Illness” (IMCI). IMCI is an integrated approach to child health that focuses on the well-being of the whole child. It aims to reduce death, illness and disability, and to promote improved growth and development among children under 5 years of age.
Slide 29 :
Slide 30 :
Main risks of early childhood: Frequent illnesses – prevention and care Both, prevention and care for illnesses are very important for young children, and both focus primarily on the mother and other caretakers. Prevention in early childhood includes important issues about: breastfeeding and the appropriate introduction of complementary foods, hygiene practices, immunization, and caring behaviours that contribute to the healthy development of the young child.
Slide 31 :
Main risks of early childhood: Abuse and neglect Child abuse and neglect manifest themselves during the first years of life in every country. Sixty per cent of children in Europe and Central Asia say they face violent or aggressive behaviour at home. The health consequences can be: physical, sexual and reproductive, psychological and behavioural, long-term, chronic disease.
Slide 32 :
Main risks of early childhood: Injury Accidents and unintentional injuries become more prevalent as the child increasingly starts to explore his or her environment, often without the necessary coordination or awareness of hazards. Drowning, falls, fires, accidental poisoning and traffic accidents account for some of the disability and deaths in this age group.
Slide 33 :
Early school age Globally, most deaths among school children are due to diseases that can be prevented, but that can also be treated easily. An appropriate and timely health care is essential. For some of the childhood diseases, vaccines protect a child, other diseases, such as diarrhoea and hepatitis A can be prevented by good hygiene and sanitary practices. Childhood cancers are a major concern in developed countries. In the US, cancer is the second biggest killer of children after accidents, with the median age of child victims of cancer being six years old. Acute leukaemia is the most common type of cancer found in children, and its incidence appears to be rising in some developed countries. Among the environmental factors that may play a role are tobacco smoke, radon, asbestos, ultraviolet light radiation, hazardous waste and some pesticides.
Slide 34 :
Main risks of early school age
Slide 35 :
Main risks of early school age: Poor nutrition, growth and development Poor nutrition remains globally a major contributor to childhood diseases and deaths. In countries with plentiful food provision, the cheapest form of food energy comes regrettably from fats, oils and sugar. Consumption of these energy-dense foods, together with lack of physical activity, results in increasing prevalence of obesity among children.
Slide 36 :
Main risks of early school age: Injury New health challenges emerge as children become increasingly exposed to the wider physical and social environment. Injuries, usually road traffic injuries, falls and drowning, are now the number-one killer of children aged five to 14 years in developed countries. Additional factors such as exposed cooking set-ups, dangerous tools and equipment, open sewers, construction or electrical sites and hazardous chemicals pose threats in developing countries.
Slide 37 :
Main risks of early school age: Helminth infections Helminth diseases, which are caused by intestinal worms found in soils and vegetables, are one of the common health problems among school age children in developing countries. These children commonly carry large loads of helminths, which can cause anaemia and other debilitating conditions. These illnesses can result in impaired learning, poor school performance and more absences from school.
Slide 38 :
Social factors in early school age Parental lifestyle increases its impact as the child develops. Attitudes to health-related behaviours such as smoking and physical activity are formed, and eating patterns become established. As social interaction beyond the family develops: School environment, peer pressure and the mass media become increasingly influential in establishing the child’s values, attitudes and behaviour patterns. School is an important place for bringing about behavioural changes, promoting better health for students, and teaching about caring for the community environment. For this age group, both prevention and the appropriate care of illness are essential. As a child moves through the school-age years and into adolescence, prevention of behaviours that can lead to health risks takes on a greater importance.
Slide 39 :
Adolescence One in every five people in the world is an adolescent – defined by WHO as a person between 10 and 19 years of age. Out of 1.2 billion adolescents worldwide, about 85% live in developing countries. Every year, an estimated 1.7 million persons between ages of 10 and 19 lose their lives. There are relatively few deaths due to illnesses. Many adolescents die prematurely due to other causes such as accidents and risky behaviour. Many habits and lifestyle choices that start during these critical years contribute greatly to the overall health of an adult. The WHO estimates that 70% of premature deaths among adults are largely due to behaviour initiated during adolescence.
Slide 40 :
Main risks of adolescence
Slide 41 :
Main risks of adolescence: Poor nutrition Sound nutrition remains a foundation stone for good health as the child progresses towards adulthood. In many countries, overweight and obesity in children and adolescents is increasing, often co-existing with micronutrient deficiencies. Type II diabetes, previously a disease of middle age, is now increasingly being reported among young people in European countries.
Slide 42 :
Main risks of adolescence: Chronic conditions Chronic conditions include non-communicable diseases such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, juvenile diabetes, epilepsy, juvenile arthritis sickle-cell disease, and mental disorders. In developed countries, asthma is the leading chronic disease among children. Air pollution, both indoor and outdoor, is one of the triggers for asthma episodes. Over the last decades, asthma and allergies have increased throughout Europe. In Western Europe, the symptom rate is up to ten times that in eastern countries. Chronic conditions typically require comprehensive, ongoing care. Other factors such as family, school or college situations, as well as the health and social services available, determine how a chronic condition is managed.
Slide 43 :
Adolescence and HIV The HIV/AIDS pandemic is one of the most important and urgent global public health challenges. It is estimated that 50% of all new HIV infections are among young people. In the eastern part of European region, 84% of new cases are under 30 years of age, compared to 31% in the west, and three quarters of them are injecting drug users. Adolescents are at the centre of the pandemic in terms of: transmission, impact, and potential for changing the attitudes and behaviours that underlie this disease. Focusing on young people is likely to be the most effective approach to confronting the epidemic.
Slide 44 :
HIV prevalence among female antenatal attendees aged 15-19 in southern African countries © WHO
Slide 45 :
Main risks of adolescence: Mental disorders Pre-existing mental health issues may worsen as the adolescent undergoes this demanding phase of emotional and physical maturation. Impaired mental health is a precursor or consequence of many health-risky behaviours. Adolescence is also a peak age of onset for serious mental illness. In the European region: The incidence of psychological ill health and mortality increases as a consequence of the breakdown of traditional social and family structures, particularly in communities experiencing significant societal, political and economic change. About 10% to 20% of children have one or more mental or behavioural problem.
Slide 46 :
Main risks of adolescence: Injury and violence Physical and emotional development accelerates with the arrival of puberty. The young adolescent becomes ever more subject to cultural influences, perceived social norms and pressure from friends although the family support continues to be of significance. It is a normal part of adolescent development to: take on new responsibilities and roles which can incur risks, renegotiate relations with adults in the family and community and with peers, experiment with things symbolic of adult life. Growing independence is associated with increased risk-taking. Accidents, violence, and suicide are among the three most common causes of death in adolescence.
Slide 47 :
Traffic accidents & adolescents
Slide 48 :
Teenage pregnancy (Patterson et al, 1989) Cycle of violence
Slide 49 :
Main risks of adolescence: Drug abuse Adolescence is a period of experimentation and rebellion against authority. This is the age when the use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs can become established habits. Their use is a major contributing factor to accidents, suicides, violence, unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases among young people in many countries. There is an urgent need to create safer and more supportive environments within which young people can develop. Adult role models, positive peer influence and initiatives such as Health Promoting Schools all have an important part to play in healthy adolescent development.
Slide 50 :
Main risks of adolescence: Unwanted pregnancy With adolescence comes reproductive maturity. Preventing teenage pregnancy is a concern for every country. The rates in western European countries mostly range between 13 and 25 per 1000 young women aged 15 to 19 years. Unwanted pregnancies may lead to serious health consequences for young women, including the risks associated with dangerous or illegal abortions. Young mothers under the age of 20 years are more likely to deliver a low birth weight baby. Low birth weight is associated with reduced health prospects for the child. In this way, the child and adolescent life circle of one generation concludes and evolves into the life cycle of the next generation and thus interventions in one generation will bring benefits to successive generations.
Slide 51 :
References Beasley R, Ellwood P, Asher I. Beasley R, Ellwood P, Asher I International patterns of the prevalence of pediatric asthma the ISAAC program. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2003 Jun;50(3):539-53. Carnegie Task Force: Starting Points: Meeting the Needs of Our Youngest Children Carnegie Corporation of New York, New York 1994, 150p. European Health for All Database http://www.euro.who.int/hfadb (Accessed 28 May 2008). Faustman,E.M. Silbernagel, S.M., Fenske, R.A., Burbacher, T.M., Ponce, R.A.: Mechanisms underlying Children’s Susceptibility to Environmental Intoxicants. 2000 Environ Health Perspect. 108, Suppl 1, 2000, 13-21. Kramer MS, Chalmers B, Hodnett ED et al. Promotion of Breastfeeding Intervention Trial (PROBIT) – A Randomized Trial in the Republic of Belarus. JAMA, 2001, 285, 4, 413 – 420. Kudlová,E., Rameš,J.: [Evaluation of nutrition of Prague’s infants according to criteria recommended by WHO] Cs.Pediat,.55, 1, 2000, 16-20. Natural Resources Defense Council: Our Children At Risk: The 5 Worst Environmental Threats To Their Health. Natural Resources Defense Council, New York 1997. http://www.nrdc.org/health/kids/ocar/ocarinx.asp (Accessed 28 May 2008) Schroeder, S.R.: Mental retardation and developmental disabilities influenced by environmental neurotoxic insults. Environ Health Perspect. 108, Suppl 3, 2000, 395-9 UNEP, UNICEF, WHO:Children in the New Millennium: Environmental Impact on Health. United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations Children’s Fund and WHO, Geneva 2002, 142 p. UNICEF: Sanitation for All: Promoting Dignity and Humn Rights. UNICEF, New York 2000. WHO/EURO: The health of children and adolescents in WHO's European Region. WHO European Regional Office, Copenhagen 2003, 12p. WHO: Adolescent health and development. http://www.who.int/child_adolescent_health/en (Accessed 28.May 2008) WHO: Food and health in Europe: a new basis for action. WHO Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen 2002, 28 p. WHO: Improving child health. IMCI: the integrated approach. WHO, Geneva, 1997 12p. WHO: Infant and young child nutrition. Global strategy on infant and young child feeding. Report by the Secretariat.Geneva, WHO, Geneva 2002, 18 p. WHO: World Health Report 1999. WHO, Geneva 1999, 121 p. WHO: World Health Report 2002. WHO, Geneva 2002, 248 p. WHO: The First Action Plan for Food and Nutrition Policy. WHO European Region 2000-2005. Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2001 (document EUR/01/5026013, http://www.euro.who.int/Document/E72199.pdf, (Accessed 28 May 2008) World Bank: World Development Report 2000/2001: Attacking Poverty. New York, Oxford University Press, 2001. Wynn M, Wynn A. New nutrient intake recommendations are needed for childbearing. Nutrition and Health, 2000, 13, 199-211. Zahm, S.H., Devisa, S.S.: Childhood Cancer: Overview of Incidence Trends and Environmental Carcinogens. Eviron. Health Persp. 103, Suppl.6, 1995, 177-184.
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Tanya Lee Stone’s search—for photos and facts—has led her in surprising and rewarding directions. “To me, visual storytelling is as important as the text,” Stone has said, and that is certainly true of Courage Has No Color: The True Story of the Triple Nickles: America’s First Black Paratroopers (Candlewick, Jan. 2013). Through text and images the author paints a fascinating portrait of the African Americans who trained as part of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion under First Sergeant Walter Morris. Seventeen of those 20 men came from the all-black 92nd Infantry Division, whose roots could be traced back to the Buffalo Soldiers of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. The author spoke to Curriculum Connections about her research, and the Triple Nickles’ extraordinary legacy.
What attracted you to this topic? Did it have any relationship to your work on Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream (Candlewick, 2009)?
These stories are related in that they are both about extraordinary people, relatively unknown individuals, whose work paved the way for others. Change happens slowly—and it’s often due to individuals such as these. We owe them tribute.
When you begin a nonfiction work, do you have a sense of where you’re going, or do you let the research guide you?
The research did guide me, as did feedback from Marc Aronson and Hilary Van Dusen, who said, as they did with Almost Astronauts, “This story is too big for a picture book.” I tend to think cinematically, so I’m looking at the story through the points-of-view of the Triple Nickles’ and [their leader, First Sergeant] Walter Morris. What are the margins that inform those perspectives? That helps me shape my boundaries. Unfortunately, it took almost 10 years to write the book!
You interviewed Morris, as well as a number of the women represented in Almost Astronauts. It’s amazing to think that these events didn’t transpire that long ago.
It wasn’t that long ago. I think we have come a long way—and have a really long way to go. That’s why it’s important to highlight these stories. We can be proud of our achievements—and have them motivate us to do a whole lot more.
Your notes on your work on the identities of the Triple Nickles who did not graduate, and how you resolved inconsistencies discovered in your research, were fascinating.
That was so thrilling [figuring out the three men who hadn't graduated]! The first person I called when I made sense of that information was Ed Howard. He’s the historian at Fort Benning [where those first black paratroopers trained]. After the book was finished, Ed and I kept working to track down the information that was eluding me. I found two of the men through a document that noted who was paid when.
Is detective work also involved in photo research?
On occasion, a photograph is in opposition to a “fact” you have unearthed earlier. You have to use your journalistic skills to figure out the truth. Even in the archives, the labels are sometimes incorrect. There’s a photo of the 761st tank battalion (the camera is looking down into the tank as a man looks up), that has been mislabeled for decades. When I got to the 761st tank battalion section, I went back to the library. In the end, I agreed with who I believed was the most trusted scholar and relabeled the photo; [in my book] the label is different than the one attributed in the National Archives.
It is like being a detective. In order to be authoritative, everything must be verified.
Were there events that you uncovered that surprised you? I had no idea that balloon bombs launched from Japan were landing in western states such as Oregon, for instance.
I had no idea about the balloon bombs, either. I could have gone on and on about them. To include information about these weapons and to not provide background on the Japanese-American internment camps seemed wrong, [but] I also was aware that I had to balance these pieces with the rest of the story.
This is complicated material and the challenge was to select what was pertinent to the paratroopers’ story and would give readers the context they needed. There’s an unending wealth of stories to tell.
So many of the events we know of history depend on timing—when the many small actions of people come together, as you point out.
When change happens, we tend to forget that many events preceded it. There’s another parallel between Almost Astronauts and Courage, in that people sometimes say to me, “But [the Triple Nickles] didn’t get sent into combat” with a tone in their voice that suggests, “Why are you making such a big deal out of this?” What these men accomplished was of their time. If you’re looking at it through a 21st-century lens, you miss it.
Many children aren’t [aware of how the rights we enjoy now] were achieved. That’s why I spend the amount of time I spend on background. With context, on their own, children can get to, “Wow, that’s a big deal.”
This article was featured in School Library Journal's Curriculum Connections enewsletter. Subscribe today to have more articles like this delivered every month for free. | <urn:uuid:fa442fc8-619c-4d6d-b8df-ef6c855ed8d7> | {
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SmartDraw includes thousands of professional-looking examples like this Tooth Decay (Caries) and Cavity Prevention that you can easily download, edit and customize to make your own in just minutes.
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Tooth Decay & Cavity Prevention STEP ONE: Floss
Use floss to remove germs and food particles between teeth. Rinse. Holding Floss Using floss between lower teeth. Ease the floss into place gently. Do not snap it into place—this could harm your gums. STEP TWO: Brush Teeth
Use any tooth brushing method that is comfortable, but do not scrub hard back and forth. Small circular motions and short back and forth motions work well. Rinse. To prevent decay, it’s what’s on the toothbrush that counts. Use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is what protects teeth from decay.
Brush the tongue for a fresh feeling! Rinse again.
Food residues, especially sweets, provide nutrients for the germs that cause tooth decay, as well as those that cause gum disease. That’s why it is important to remove all food residues, as well as plaque, from teeth. Remove plaque at least once a day—twice a day is better. If you brush and floss once daily, do it before going to bed. Another way of removing plaque between teeth is to use a dental pick—a thin plastic or wooden stick. These picks can be purchased at drug stores and grocery stores. Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research LifeART Collection Images Copyright © 1989-2001 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD | <urn:uuid:63891d44-8584-4986-9137-93c9230d7a2f> | {
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The Rebel by Nathan Johnson
You set the price! 18330 words.
Language: English. Published on September 16, 2011. Fiction » Young adult or teen » Family.
(5.00 from 6 reviews)
1. What does it mean to be a rebel? 2. Is it always bad to be a rebel? 3. Is this person in this story a good person or a bad influence? 4. Is he a typical rebel, or is he different from what most would perceive as a rebel? To answer these questions, you'll have to read and see! You might be surprised. Read and follow it close. | <urn:uuid:a0f1b1e2-d521-4e16-8c17-1b40fe9eb818> | {
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Its a scarlet tanager kind of yearWritten by George Ellison
“The scarlet tanager flies through the green foliage as if it would ignite the leaves.
You can hardly believe that a living creature can wear such colors.”
— Henry David Thoreau
This seems to be a scarlet tanager kind of year. I’ve been seeing and hearing them at my house, along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and in the Great Smokies. No bird in our region is more striking. Jet black wings on a trim red almost luminescent body, the male is impossible to overlook. And it’s easy to recognize by both song and call.
I almost never encounter the summer tanager (whose entire body is rosy red) in Western North Carolina, but the scarlet tanager is encountered every year — to a greater or lesser extent — during the breeding season (mid-April to mid-October) in mature woodlands (especially slopes with pine and oak) between 2,000 and 5,000 feet in elevation. The bird winters in northwestern South America, where it enjoys the company of various tropical tanagers that do not migrate.
Keep in mind that the female doesn’t resemble her mate except in shape. She is olive-green or yellow-orange in color. Also keep in mind there is a variant form (morph) of the male tanager that is orange rather than scarlet in color. I suspect this variant is the result of something peculiar in its diet. My first and only encounter with an orange scarlet tananger was in the Lake Junaluska area several years ago.
The call note used by both the male and female is a distinctive “chip-burr … chip-burr.” The male’s song is not pretty. He sounds like a robin with a sore throat; that is, the notes in the song are hoarse and raspy. When gathering nesting material, the female sometimes sings a shorter “whisper” song in response to the male’s louder song.
Males in adjacent territories often engage in combative counter-singing and will, as a last resort, go beak-to-beak. On our property, a creek sometimes serves as a boundary — the line drawn in the sand, as it were. The males sing defiantly at one another across the water and sometimes make forays into enemy territory. Meanwhile, the female is busy incubating her eggs. When not squabbling with a nearby male, her mate brings food. | <urn:uuid:ca369163-a3e7-4e52-a03c-c42485d71a9e> | {
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A small news article from Science has been taped above my desk for the last few years. I don’t remember who originally gave it to me, or why I even hung it up, but there it is, nestled between a couple XKCD cartoons. The article is titled “The Wine Divide” and it raises many questions about sustainability, inherent biases in conventional wisdom, and what the term “local” means in a global economy. And it’s about wine.
The basic premise of the article is that, in general, the carbon-cost of shipping wine by freight (as in, on a truck) is greater than the cost of shipping by cargo (as in, on a boat). In wine, transportation outweighs all other aspects of production and distribution, so using the cost of transport, two scientists calculated the cost of buying wine from Napa Valley or Bordeaux, France if you live in New York.
Shipping a 750-milliliter bottle from Bordeaux to New York City emits 1.8 kilograms of carbon, whereas trucking one from the Napa Valley emits 2.6 kg.
They also calculated a Napa-Bordeaux line, which determines which region (Napa Valley or Bordeaux) has the lower carbon cost for where you live.
In a thorough review of the life cycle of a bottle of wine, Colman and Päster presented some surprising insights into the real cost of transportation. Among the most counter-intuitive results is how dramatic the differences among ships, trains, trucks, and airplanes really are. This is scaled by the total amount of cargo shipped, so while the actual amount of fuel burned may be greater, the amount of goods transported is even larger.
These data challenge the conventional assumption the local is better. For many goods, distance is significantly less important than the method of delivery, at least when looking at the cost of transportation. For someone living on the East Coast of the United States, wine from Bordeaux, France is more sustainable than the relatively closer wine from Napa Valley, California.
Tyler, Colman, & Päster, Pablo (2009).
Red, White, and ‘Green’: The Cost of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the
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10 New Alien Planets a Diverse Bunch, Telescope Shows
Artist's impression of the CoRoT satellite.
CREDIT: CNES/Active Design
A European space telescope has discovered 10 previously unknown alien planets, including two Neptune-like objects that circle the same star, researchers announced today (June 14).
France's CoRoT satellite detected the 10 alien planets, all of which are gaseous like Saturn or Jupiter. However, they exhibit a range of masses, densities, orbital characteristics and other properties, researchers said. The new discoveries highlight the diversity of worlds beyond our solar system and boost the confirmed count of extrasolar planets up to 565, they added.
"Ever since the early days of exoplanet astronomy, we’ve been amazed by the variety of planets that have been discovered: gaseous giants larger than Jupiter and smaller, rocky bodies, down to masses comparable to the Earth’s," said Malcolm Fridlund, the European Space Agency's project scientist for CoRoT, in a statement. [Photos: The Strangest Alien Planets]
Researchers announced the findings today (June 14), at the Second CoRoT Symposium in Marseille, France.
Alien planet haul
Like NASA's Kepler Space Telescope, CoRoT searches for alien planets by what is known as the transit method. This technique looks for tiny dips in a star's brightness that could potentially be caused by a planet passing in front of it from our perspective.
The 10 newly discovered alien worlds have all been confirmed by follow-up observations using ground-based telescopes. Seven of the discoveries are so-called "hot Jupiters," gas giants that orbit extremely close to their parent stars. Another one is smaller than Saturn, and the other two are Neptune-like siblings circling the same star.
While all the newfound alien planets are gaseous, they make up a diverse group. Their densities, for example, span a wide range, from values similar to that of Saturn (the least dense planet in our solar system) to densities comparable to that of rocky Mars, researchers said.
One planet orbits a 10-billion-year-old star, which is twice as old as the sun. Another circles a star just 600 million years old. Two of the exoplanets also lie on highly elongated orbits — a surprise to scientists, considering how unstable such paths are thought to be.
A planetary zoo
Since the first planet beyond our solar system was discovered back in the 1990s, astronomers have discovered an astonishing diversity of alien worlds.
"The new set of 10 planets that we announce today are no exception, exhibiting as they do a rich list of very interesting properties," Fridlund said.
To date, astronomers have confirmed at least 565 alien planets, and the Kepler project has already identified 1,235 more "candidate" planets that await in-depth follow-up study. Researchers have predicted that at least 80 percent of Kepler's planetary candidates will eventually be confirmed.
Since its launch in 2006, CoRoT has detected several hundred candidate planet-hosting stars. The 10 new finds bring the satellite's total number of confirmed planet discoveries to 26.
Many more finds will likely follow — from Kepler, CoRoT and other instruments — helping astronomers better understand alien planets on a broader scale, researchers said.
"Although the study of exoplanets is relatively young, we have already reached a stage where we can characterize the details of worlds orbiting other stars, and CoRoT is making a crucial contribution to this field," Fridlund said. "With hundreds of systems observed to date, we no longer have to worry about 'taming the beasts' and we can dedicate our efforts to the 'zoology' of exoplanets, which is enormously enhancing our knowledge about planetary systems."
MORE FROM SPACE.com | <urn:uuid:984d9231-b3cf-4496-953f-cc04f84b2a2f> | {
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Teide National Park
The largest and oldest of the Canary Islands' parks
Its landscape revolves around the largest volcano in Spain: the Teide, which last erupted in 1798. The volcanic cones and the lava outcrops form an extraordinary conjunction of colours and shapes, and are home to a wide diversity of flora of great biological value.
The Teide National Park was created in 1954 in order to protect this spectacular landscape of great ecological value which lies at the foot of the colossal volcano. The Teide is the volcanic formation located on an ancient and gigantic cauldron-shaped depression, formed by two semi-calderas separated by the Roques de García rock formations. Plant and animal species that are unique in the world live in the shadow of the Teide. There is an astonishing diversity of plants: Teide broom, red echium, blue echium, the guanche rose (Bencomia extipulata), flixweed, rosalillo de cumbre (Pterocephalus lasiospermus), silver thistle (Stemmacantha cynaroides)... The most important species in the park are the invertebrates. Over 700 types of insects have been recorded, of which 50% are endemic to the area. There are some species of reptiles (such as the Tenerife lizard) and birds (Egyptian vulture, sparrowhawks, lesser kestrels, red kite), and a few mammals, the most common of which are the mouflon, rabbits and five species of bat.
面積: 18.990 ヘクタール
所在地: It is situated in the heart of the island of Tenerife, in the Canary Islands.
見学情報: There are two public bus routes: number 348, from Puerto de la Cruz, and number 342, from Playa de las Américas. There is a cable car that affords spectacular views, although it does not take you right to the top: you must walk the last stretch. A special permit is required to go to the highest cone on the summit of the Teide. For more information, check the Visitor Centres on this page.
More access information.
環境情報: The primary interest of this national park is its flora, as it has 212 species of plants, of which 58 are endemic to the Canary Islands. One of these natural treasures is the Teide violet, which has the honour of being the highest flowering species in the whole of Spain. The park also stands out because of its volcanic landscape, and as a place for stargazing.
文化情報: The island of Tenerife is one of Spain's most important tourist destinations. Its appeal lies in the excellent climate, its beaches, the Teide, and a wide variety of cultural attractions. One of the best times to visit the islands is in February when the Carnival festivities take place. The rest of the year you can find crowded and festive pilgrimages: San Isidro, in La Orotava; San Benito; in La Laguna; and San Roque, in Garachico. Regarding the gastronomy, traditional honey extraction is an important activity in the heart of the park, in the Las Cañadas area.
許可: You will find more information about the permits you need at the following links:
Access to the Teide peak
Propuestas educativas, Recorridos por el Parque, Montañismo, Visitas guiadas
Park offices (Tenerife)
Tel.: +34 922922371
Fax.: +34 922244788
Teide National Park でできること
全ての著作権は保護されています。 Turespaña / Segittur © 2013
サイトの管理者: Sociedad Estatal para la Gestión de la Innovación y las Tecnologías Turísticas, S.A. (SEGITTUR) | <urn:uuid:b0d3a7d7-da32-42b7-b6cd-a2e190976a02> | {
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|Women’s Suffrage in the UK||Women Suffrage in the USA||Parliamentary Reform|
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Elizabeth Cady, the daughter of Daniel Cady, a lawyer and politician, was born in Johnstown, New York, 12th November, 1815. She studied law under her father, who later became a New York Supreme Court judge. During this period she became a strong advocate of women's rights.
In 1840 Elizabeth married the lawyer, Henry Bewster Stanton. The couple both became active members of the American Anti-Slavery Society. Later that year, Stanton and Lucretia Mott, travelled to London as delegates to the World Anti-Slavery Convention. Both women were furious when they, like the British women at the convention, were refused permission to speak at the meeting. Stanton later recalled: "We resolved to hold a convention as soon as we returned home, and form a society to advocate the rights of women."
However, it was not until 1848 that Stanton and Lucretia Mott organised the Women's Rights Convention at Seneca Falls. Stanton's resolution that it was "the duty of the women of this country to secure to themselves the sacred right to the elective franchise" was passed, and this became the focus of the group's campaign over the next few years.
In 1866 Stanton, Lucretia Mott, Susan B. Anthony and Lucy Stone established the American Equal Rights Association. The following year, the organisation became active in Kansas where Negro suffrage and woman suffrage were to be decided by popular vote. However, both ideas were rejected at the polls.
In 1868 Stanton and Susan B. Anthony established the political weekly, The Revolution, and the following year the two women formed a new organisation, the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA). The organisation condemned the Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments as blatant injustices to women. The NWSA also advocated easier divorce and an end to discrimination in employment and pay.
Executive Committee of the National Woman Suffrage Association
Another group, the American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA), was also active in the campaign for women's rights and by the 1880s it became clear that it was not a good idea to have two rival groups campaigning for votes for women. After several years of negotiations, the AWSA and the NWSA merged in 1890 to form the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). Stanton was elected as NAWSA first president but was replaced by Susan B. Anthony in 1892.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, whose autobiography, Eighty Years and More, was published in 1898, died in New York, on 26th October, 1902.
(1) Editorial, Time and Tide (9th July, 1926)
Feminism, like any other great movement, proceeds at varying paces and in varying forms in different countries. Few things are more enlightening than a study of the inter-reactions of the feminist movement in the two great English speaking peoples during the past seventy or eighty years. It is curious how closely related have been the movements on the two sides of the Atlantic. Each has continually learnt from the other. Beginning with Mary Wollstonecraft in the late 18th century, the feminist movement owed its next big impetus (in the eighteen forties and fifties) to Lucretia Mott and Susan B. Anthony, of New England. It was Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth C. Stanton who organised the first Equal Rights Convention which was held in New York in 1848; and it was Lucretia Mott who laid. down the definite proposition which American women are still struggling to implement today: 'Men and Women shall have Equal Rights throughout the United States.' A few years later Susan B. Anthony, the pioneer Suffragist, came into the American movement.
It was not till the eighteen sixties that the political feminist movement came alive in Great Britain. Dame Millicent Fawcett was even in those early days one of the leading names connected with it. The British suffragists pushed forward enthusiastically for some twenty years, but the failure to achieve success in 1885, when the third Reform Bill was passed giving the agricultural labourer the vote, seemed to take the heart out of our early suffragists, and the movement died down again. Meanwhile, in the nineties the American women were full of life and enthusiasm, winning victory after victory in State after State.'
In 1902 Susan B. Anthony came to England and stayed with Mrs. Pankhurst in Manchester. The result of that visit was far-reaching. All unwittingly the old pioneer handed back the torch to the British suffragists. 'It is unendurable,' declared Christabel Pankhurst after her departure, 'to think of another generation of women wasting their lives begging for the vote. We must not lose any more time. We must act.' Those words heralded the birth of the British militant movement. From that moment onwards British feminists went forward without pause till the outbreak of war in 1914 and when that time came (although the actual Bill was not passed until 1918) the first instalment of victory was virtually won.
Meanwhile in America by 1912 things had died down to very much the same state as the English movement has been in since 1918. Votes had been achieved in a considerable number of States, the feeling was widespread that a partial victory was good enough for the moment and that complete victory would ' come all in good time without much further trouble. And then in 1912 Alice Paul, lit by the fire of the English militant movement, returned to America - and America woke up. It took the Americans just eight years from that date to achieve complete political equality; but they were under wise leadership (Alice Paul will surely go down to history as one of the great leaders of the world), and when they did achieve political equality they did not make the mistake of supposing that that was the end. They turned back to the 'declaration of sentiments' laid down by Lucretia Mott in 1848 and they realised that political equality was only the first step on the path which they had chosen and that there could be neither halting nor relaxing their pace until they had come to the end of that path.
(2) Elizabeth Cady Stanton, speech at the Woman's Convention (25th May, 1851)
The great work before us is the education of those just coming on the stage of action. Begin with the girls of today, and in twenty years we can revolutionize this nation. The childhood of woman must be free and untrammeled. The girl must be allowed to romp and play, climb, skate, and swim; her clothing must be more like that of the boy - strong, loose-fitting garments, thick boots, etc., that she may be out at all times, and enter freely into all kinds of sports. Teach her to go alone, by night and day, if need be, on the lonely highway, or through the busy streets of the crowded metropolis. The manner in which all courage and self-reliance is educated out of the girl, her path portrayed with dangers and difficulties that never exist, is melancholy indeed. Better, far, suffer occasional insults or die outright, than live the life of a coward, or never move without a protector. The best protector any woman can have, one that will serve her at all times and in all places, is courage; this she must get by her own experience, and experience comes by exposure. Let the girl be thoroughly developed in body and soul, not modeled, like a piece of clay, after some artificial specimen of humanity, with a body like some plate in Godey's book of fashion, and a mind after the type of Father Gregory's pattern daughters, loaded down with the traditions, proprieties, and sentimentalities of generations of silly mothers and grandmothers, but left free to be, to grow, to feel, to think, to act. Development is one thing, that system of cramping, restraining, torturing,
perverting, and mystifying, called education, is quite another. We have had women enough befooled under the one system, pray let us try the other. The girl must early be impressed with the idea that she is to be "a hand, not a mouth"; a worker, and not a drone, in the great hive of human activity. Like the boy, she must be taught to look forward to a life of self-dependence, and early prepare herself for some trade or profession. Woman has relied heretofore too entirely for her support on the needle - that one-eyed demon of destruction that slays its thousands annually; that evil genius of our sex, which, in spite of all our devotion, will never make us healthy, wealthy, or wise.
Teach the girl it is no part of her life to cater to the prejudices of those around her. Make her independent of public sentiment, by showing her how worthless and rotten a thing it is. It is a settled axiom with me, after much examination and reflection, that public sentiment is false on every subject. Yet what a tyrant it is over us all, woman especially, whose very life is to please, whose highest ambition is to be approved. But once outrage this tyrant, place yourself beyond his jurisdiction, taste the joy of free thought and action, and how powerless is his rule over you! his sceptre lies broken at your feet; his very babblings of condemnation are sweet music in your ears; his darkening frown is sunshine to your heart, for they tell of your triumph and his discomfort. Think you, women thus educated would long remain the weak, dependent beings we now find them? By no means. Depend upon it, they would soon settIe for themselves this whole question of Woman's Rights. As educated capitalists and skilled laborers, they would not be long in finding their
true level in political and social life.
(3) Elizabeth Cady Stanton, speech (20th February, 1894)
The point I wish plainly to bring before you on this occasion is the individuality of each human soul - our Protestant idea, the right of individual conscience and judgment - our republican idea, individual citizenship. In discussing the rights of woman, we are to consider, first, what belongs to her as an individual, in a world other own, the arbiter other own destiny, an imaginary Robinson Crusoe with her woman Friday on a solitary island. Her rights under such circumstances are to use all her faculties for her own safety and happiness.
Secondly, if we consider her as a citizen, as a member of a great nation, she must have the same rights as all other members, according to the fundamental principles of our Government.
Thirdly, viewed as a woman, an equal factor in civilization, her rights and duties are still the same - individual happiness and development.
Fourthly, it is only the incidental relations of life, such as mother, wife, sister, daughter, which may involve some special duties and training. In the usual discussion in regard to woman's sphere, such men as Herbert Spencer, Frederick Harrison and Grant Alien uniformly subordinate her rights and duties as an individual, as a citizen, as a woman, to the necessities of these incidental relations, some of which a large class of women never assume. In discussing the sphere of man we do not decide his rights as an individual, as a citizen, as a man, by his duties as a father, a husband, a brother or a son, some of which he may never undertake. Moreover he would be better fitted for these very relations, and whatever special work he might choose to do to earn his bread, by the complete development of all his faculties as an individual. Just so with woman. The education which will fit her to discharge the duties in the largest sphere of human usefulness, will best fit her for whatever special work she may be compelled to do.
The isolation of every human soul and the necessity of self-dependence must give each individual the right to choose his own surroundings. The strongest reason for giving woman all the opportunities for higher education, for the full development of her faculties, her forces of mind and body; for giving her the most enlarged freedom of thought and action; a complete emancipation from all forms of bondage, of custom, dependence, superstition; from all the crippling influences of fear - is the solitude and personal responsibility of her own individual life. The strongest reason why we ask for woman a voice in the government under which she lives; in the religion she is asked to believe; equality in social life, where she is the chief factor; a place in the trades and professions, where she may earn her bread, is because of her birthright to self-sovereignty; because, as an individual, she must rely on herself.
To throw obstacles in the way of a complete education is like putting out the eyes; to deny the rights of property is like cutting off the hands. To refuse political equality is like robbing the ostracized of all self-respect, of credit in the market place, of recompense in the world of work, of a voice in choosing those who make and administer the law, a choice in the jury before whom they are tried, and in the judge who decides their punishment. Shakespeare's play of Titus and Andronicus contains a terrible satire on woman's position in the nineteenth century - "Rude men seized the king's daughter, cut out her tongue, cut off her hands, and then bade her go call for water and wash her hands." What a picture of woman's position! Robbed other natural rights, handicapped by law and custom at every turn, yet compelled to fight her own battles, and in the emergencies of life fall back on herself for protection. | <urn:uuid:823dd093-6bc7-4d5e-9984-07a892621db2> | {
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This Victorian churchyard has a special role in the life of what is now a culturally diverse, vibrant urban community.
- It is a quiet green space that invites appreciation of the protected wildlife.
- The memorials open a window on to local history. Buried in the churchyard are people from many different walks of life and economic status. The high percentage of children's graves, and the memorial to the Master and Matron of the Workhouse, signpost issues of public health and social welfare. Commonwealth War Graves prompt consideration of the families who lost their young men in the two World Wars. Some memorials reflect changing artistic expressions of religious faith and hope, and the mini-labyrinth, designed as a 'rest-space', makes a modern day contribution.
- The number of Religious Orders that are commemorated points to their role in welfare, educational and spiritual outreach. The central memorial to Father Benson recalls the strength of his vision in serving the needs of the people in East Oxford.
You are invited to embark on a trail through the churchyard, in virtual space and then in reality!
an educational resource supported by The Heritage Lottery Fund
You can download a copy of the entire site [18MB], for example for burning on to CD, or to use offline. | <urn:uuid:c90316ec-5f40-4445-ac34-055a4fbf0be0> | {
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This statistic shows the growth of the real gross domestic product (GDP) in Spain from 2003 to 2013. GDP refers to the total market value of all goods and services that are produced within a country per year. It is an important indicator of the economic strength of a country. Real GDP is adjusted for price changes and is therefore regarded as a key indicator for economic growth. Spain's real GDP growth in 2011 was about 0.4 percent compared to the previous year. | <urn:uuid:f744db91-8b17-4c6f-8175-3f5a51b3cdfd> | {
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Not far from the familiar starry figure of Orion the Hunter are the two star clusters of Taurus the Bull: the Hyades and the Pleiades. The Hyades cluster is punctuated by the bright red star Aldebaran, the eye of the Bull. The fainter Pleiades cluster, or Seven Sisters, is twice as far from us as the Hyades and sometimes is mistaken for the Little Dipper.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Stars are born in clusters — families of dozens to hundreds of stars that share the same age and chemical makeup — but they don’t remain in clusters their whole lives. Like fledgling birds, stars eventually leave the nest in which they were born to roam the galaxy alone.
There are hundreds of star clusters that populate our Milky Way galaxy, many of which are visible from Earth to unaided human eyes. Most appear as faint, fuzzy smudges in the night sky because of their great distance from us, but there are two clusters close enough to allow us to see their brightest members as individual suns.
On cold, crisp November evenings, you can spot these two magnificent star clusters in our constellation of Taurus the Bull. They are the Hyades (high-a-deez) and the Pleiades (plee-a-deez) star clusters. The Hyades cluster forms the familiar V-shaped face of Taurus, with the bright orange star Aldebaran as one of his glaring red eyes. Aldebaran itself is not a member of the Hyades but is superimposed on the cluster as a foreground star, only half as far away. At a distance of 153 light years, the Hyades cluster is the closest star cluster to our solar system.
Leading the Hyades westward across the sky is Taurus’ second star cluster, the Pleiades, marking the Bull’s shoulder. Also known as the Seven Sisters, the Pleiades star cluster lies nearly twice as far from us as the Hyades cluster, so it appears much smaller in size, but its importance to the sky-watchers of the past cannot be overstated. The star Aldebaran received its name from the Arabic words that mean “The Follower” because it rises just behind the Pleiades and obediently follows them across the heavens.
The Hyades and Pleiades star clusters are steeped in ancient legend and have been pondered and ogled by curious eyes since antiquity. Here’s a sample of the star lore surrounding these two clusters.
Hyas was the son of a Titan named Atlas. His seven half-sisters by a different mother were the Hyades, a name that means “the rainy ones.” Hyas grew into a renowned archer and hunter but one day wound up being killed by his prey — a wild boar. His sisters were so overcome with grief that they wept themselves to death. Zeus, the king of the Greek gods, immortalized the sisters by placing them among the stars as the Hyades star cluster. During the rainy season of April and May, the Hyades are not seen because they are too close to the sun in our daytime sky. The Greeks considered the springtime rains as the never-ending tears of the Hyades, grieving for their fallen brother.
The Pleiades were the seven half-sisters of the Hyades by yet a different mother. After Atlas and the Titans were defeated by Zeus and the Olympians in the great war for control of the universe, Atlas’ punishment was to toil for eternity, holding up the sky. Unable to look after his daughters, Atlas had to watch helplessly as the brute Orion relentlessly pursued the seven beautiful Pleiades. Zeus took pity on them and first changed them into doves so that they might escape Orion’s advances before finally changing them into the seven twinkling stars of the Pleiades star cluster, just out of Orion’s reach. He placed them in the heavens beside their grieving half-sisters, the Hyades.
Look for the Hyades and Pleiades star clusters high in the eastern sky at about 9 p.m. in late November. The three stars of Orion’s Belt point upward to them like an arrow. The dazzling planet Jupiter shines nearby both clusters this fall and winter. Aim your binoculars at the clusters to see dozens of fainter stars.
Professor Jimmy Westlake teaches astronomy and physics at Colorado Mountain College’s Alpine Campus. Check out Westlake’s astrophotography website at www.jwestlake.com. | <urn:uuid:5d6e095d-0403-49ae-9d41-ed6e39e4a96b> | {
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Unity & Uniformity
We often confuse unity with uniformity. In reality it is the spirit of unity which creates uniformity for the sake of its beauty and the protection it gives. Throughout all ages both have existed: unity as the inner nature of every soul and the only purpose of life, and uniformity to help to fulfill that purpose. Unity is the goal and uniformity the means to reach that goal, but often the means has obscured the purpose. All through the ages the different religions which have been given to man for his spiritual development with the sole idea of unity, have gradually become a kind of community or nationality. Many people who belong to a Church accept its dogmas, claim a certain name for their religion, and consider all other children of God as separate; by doing so they lose the very seed of wisdom for whose development that religion was given. This error has existed from the beginning, so that instead of touching the true spirit, people have lost reality by seeking a false objective.
Religious differences have caused endless wars and disasters for the human race. The reason of this is that the spirit of unity has not been recognized, while undue regard has been paid to uniformity. In the present age, when the spirit of religion is at its lowest ebb and only the uniformity remains, divisions of classes and discords of all kinds spring up; one party, one class against another, the spirit of rivalry, jealousy, and destruction everywhere. The effect of this has been to keep man away from the consciousness of God. Very few indeed recognize Him; all humanity is labouring under a great unrest; and yet man thinks he is progressing while all the time he only progresses towards still greater unrest.
There can never be true progress when nations and kingdoms and peoples are divided; for when the races are divided then subdivisions come, and classes and parties also become divided. The same spirit of destruction is at work all the time, and even families become separated. Unity seems to be rooted out from the hearts of men. Examples are not necessary; those who will notice it can see this state of humanity, this condition of life, all over the world.
When we seek a reason for this we find a right principle wrongly worked out. Uniformity is not a fault, indeed it is a great virtue; there is nothing wrong, for instance, in a uniform desire to help, to give service in time of need; but when the God-ideal is removed then it remains as a body without a soul, a corpse, and in the end it decays and causes foulness. However alive and prosperous the world may seem, life belongs only to the living, and when the living being is forgotten it is like a light under a bushel. Man becomes so absorbed in the pursuit of money that he becomes intoxicated and regardless of the harmony and happiness of others, and even of the harmony of his own being; and then he causes destruction. We have only to think of the wars humanity has gone through, and of this latest horror, to see the truth. It all proves that progress is in the wrong direction, and that everywhere unity is lacking. The scriptures given to the Jews, the Muslims, Parsis, Hindus, Buddhists, all have as their central truth the message of unity, but man has been so interested and absorbed in the poetry of these scriptures that he has forgotten their inner voice.
If only we would recognize the inner voice, we would see that the different scriptures all contain words spoken by one and the same voice. Some hear the voice, others only hear the words, just as in nature some see only the branches and others the roots of the tree; but all these different scriptures and ways of worship and of contemplating God are given for one purpose: the realization of unity. In unity reside the happiness and illumination of man, and his guidance in life. We all know unity by name, but most of us think of it as uniformity. The Vedanta for thousands of years in all its prayers and mantrams voiced this central theme: unity, the oneness of all. The Qur'an with all its warnings expresses in one essential sura the Being of God: that not only in the unseen, but in all that is seen there is one underlying current; and the Bible says that we live and move and have our being in God.
Of all the millions of believers in God perhaps only one makes God a reality, and that is because the picture man makes of God is as limited as himself. The knowledge of God is beyond man's reason. Man only perceives things he is capable of perceiving. He cannot raise his imagination above what he is used to, and he cannot reach beyond his imagination to where the being of God is. The secret of God is hidden in the knowledge of unity. Man thinks, 'what can unity give me? Can it bring me happiness? What is there in it?' He can get the answer by observing and studying life more closely. See what an atmosphere the harmony of ten people can create; the power of love and the influence created by ten people is much greater than that created by one. Think then what would be the blessing for humanity if nations, races and communities were united!
No doubt uniformity can teach the lesson of unity, but its purpose must not be for worldly gain; then it is destructive. The wise in all ages have dived deep into life in order to attain unity in themselves, and in order to spread unity. In the life of the world every man has some complaint to make, he lacks something, he is troubled by something; but this is only the external reason, the real truth is that he is not in unity with his own soul, for when there is disharmony in ourselves how can we spread harmony? When mind and body are at war the soul wants something else, and soul and mind are pulled by the body, or the body and mind by the soul; and so there is disharmony. When a man is in harmony with himself, he is in harmony with all; he produces harmony and gives harmony to all, he gives it out all the time.
This is a question that can be answered by understanding our relationship with God. The innermost being of man is the real being of God; man is always linked with God. If he could only realize it, it is by finding harmony in his own soul that he finds communion with God. All meditation and contemplation are taught with this purpose: to harmonize one's innermost being with God, so that He is seeing, hearing, thinking through us, and our being is a ray of His light; in that way we are even closer to God than the fishes are to the ocean in which they have their being. It is mostly interest in worldly things that unites one man with another in order that they can make more profit. How great would be this power if man would unite in true brotherhood! As long as this teaching is hidden under a bushel the methods of uniformity cannot be beneficial; they have no life. The world, in spite of any success it may seem to have today, is suffering from the wrong application of a right principle.
True life cannot be ours until unity is achieved. It is the work of religion to promote the spirit of unity, in the knowledge and love of God to whom all devotion belongs. Man often seeks for psychic, occult, and magnetic powers. This is not the purpose of religion; these developments come of themselves. Where there is life and love, there is magnetism; love itself is the healing power and the remedy for all pain. All occult powers belong to the divine life, but man should live a natural life and realize the nature of God. The only studies which are worth accomplishing are those which lead to the realization of God, and of unity first with God and then with the self, and so with all. It is not necessary for us to be told that we have progressed; we ourselves will know when our heart goes forward; and by loving, forgiving, and serving, our whole life becomes one single vision of the sublime beauty of God. | <urn:uuid:c99c8c4c-54f6-42f4-8b9e-88761afde77b> | {
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Key Stage 1 (5 - 7 yrs)
At Key Stage 1, drama is incorporated into many different areas of the curriculum and taught by the class teacher. Drama can provide an opportunity for success irrespective of academic ability and can lead to the development of confident, articulate and well-rounded children.
The drama curriculum has five main components:
- Language and literacy
- Theatre skills
- Personal and social development
- Participation in examination syllabus from both the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and the English Speaking Board
- Performance evaluation
Performance is a vital part of any drama curriculum and provides a real purpose for much of the work the children do. All children are given the opportunity to perform in staged productions in front of an audience and also on a smaller scale in front of their peers. Year 1 produce a show in the Lent term and Year 2 produce a show in the Summer term. These productions involve all of the children as do the Christmas nativity plays.
Years 2 also participate in formal Speech examinations with the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art once each year. | <urn:uuid:18112a95-b50f-4362-882b-77acf73810c5> | {
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Imaging and radiology
Radiology is a branch of medicine that uses imaging technology to diagnose and treat disease.
Radiology may be divided into two different areas, diagnostic radiology and interventional radiology. The field of therapeutic radiology, which uses x-rays to treat cancer, is now called radiation oncology.
Doctors who specialize in radiology are called radiologists.
Interventional radiology; Diagnostic radiology; X-ray imaging
Diagnostic radiology helps health care professionals see structures inside your body. Using these images, the radiologist or other physicians can often:
- Diagnose the cause of your symptoms
- Monitor how well your body is responding to a treatment you are receiving for your disease or condition
- Screen for different illnesses, such as breast cancer or heart disease
The most common types of diagnostic radiology include:
- Computed tomography (CT), also know as a CAT scan (computerized axial tomography)
- CT angiography
- Fluoroscopy with scanning, including upper GI and barium enema
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)
- Nuclear medicine, which includes such tests as a bone scan, thyroid scan, and thallium cardiac stress test
- Plain x-rays
- Positron emission tomography, also called PET imaging or a PET scan
Interventional radiology uses imaging to help guide the doctor when inserting catheters, wires, and other small instruments and tools into your body.
Doctors can use this technology to diagnose or treat conditions in almost any part of the body, instead of needing to directly look inside of your body through a scope (camera) or surgery.
Some of these conditions include cancers or tumors, blockages in your arteries and veins, fibroids in the uterus, back pain, gallstones and gallbladder problems, and thyroid disorders.
The doctor will make no incision (cut) or only a very small one. You rarely need to stay in the hospital afterwards. Most patients need either conscious sedation (medicines to help you relax) or spinal or epidural anesthesia.
Radiologists who perform these types of procedure receive 1 or 2 extra years of training after they have finished medical school and basic training in radiology.
Examples of interventional radiology procedures include:
- Angiography or angioplasty and stent placement
- Catheter embolization
- Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty
- Needle biopsies of different organs, such as the lungs and thyroid
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Breast biopsy, guided either by stereotactic or ultrasound techniques
- Uterine artery embolization
- Feeding tube placement
- Injecting cancer treatments at the site of the tumor
Reviewed By: Ken Levin, MD, Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Good Shepard Hospital, Allentown PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc. | <urn:uuid:efce444a-b757-4b58-815e-ec47502409cf> | {
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The Wakhan Valley (also pronounced Vakhan) is a majestic alpine valley in the Badakhshan region of Afghanistan and Tajikistan (the "Wakhan Corridor" refers to the part of the valley in Afghanistan). It is located in the Pamir Mountains in Central Asia. Its upper reaches consist of two wide, hilly plains surrounded by alpine peaks, beginning near the Chinese border in one of the most remote regions of the world. Further down, where the Pamir and Wakhan rivers join to form the Pyanj River, the valley narrows, finally becoming a severe canyon with roaring river rapids at its end in Ishkashem. Its muddy rivers are fed by water from huge glaciers on some of the highest mountains on the planet, fantastic views of which are visible throughout the area.
Regions of Tajikistan
High peaks on the Pakistani side include Tirich Mir (7,690 m), and Nushak (7,455 m) to the south; and Karl Marx (6,723 m) and Engels (6,507 m) in the north. Access to the valley on the Tajik side is from the Pamir Highway, either from the northeast at Alichur, or from the west at Khorog. Several very high and rough trails lead from the Shokhdara Valley across the mountains as well. It theoretically is possible to travel from the Chinese border from Shaimak along pristine Lake Zorkul (the headwaters of the Pamir River); however this area is a strictly controlled nature preserve (Zapovednik) and requires a special permit to transit.
Politically, the valley is divided among three nations; areas north of the Pyanj River belong to Tajikistan (GBAO); the land south of the Pyanj to the mountain ridges is part of Afghanistan; and the very high mountains to the south are located in Pakistan. The Wakhan Corridor (the part of the valley belonging to Afghanistan) was created at the end of 19th century by the British Empire, to act as a buffer against potential Russian ambitions in India during the "Great Game". The peoples on either side of the river speak a similar language and have a shared history; however, the Imperial and Soviet periods in the north and Islamicization of Afghanistan have created a wide cultural gap that is readily apparent.
While traveling on the road in the north of the country, one may view right across the valley caravans of camels, led by bearded, armed men in traditional Afghan dress; Tajiks on the other are Western in appearance and only soldiers on patrol may carry weapons. This part of Tajikistan is heavily patrolled by the military, with army posts every few kilometers. Armed soldiers walk the roads, protecting the area from militants and drug smugglers. The region was strategic even in ancient times; many armies conquered the area and left fortifications all along the valley, whose ruins still can be seen. There are in fact countless artifacts, ruins, petroglyphs, murals, and Islamic and Buddhist sites scattered all over the valley. These include the fortress of Ratm (Kushan period), which guards the junction of the Pamir and Wakhan Rivers; the fortress of Kaahka (3rd c. BC - 7th c. AD), which stands high on a rock in the centre of the valley; and the fortress known as Zamri Otashparast ("Castle of Fire Worshippers", 3rd c. BC) near Yamchun, set in a completely unassailable spot in a cliff, protected by two deep river canyons; and the large 4th-7th c. Buddhist complex discovered near Vrang.
A chain of small, quaint, tidy villages dot the bottom of the valley, each located at a spot where a cascade of fresh water comes gushing out of the steep ridge. The Pamiri people are masters of terrace building and hydro-engineering. Their houses are cleverly arranged on terraces on the hillsides, so as to make use of the maze of canals and channels, pipes and pools which run everywhere; none of the precious water is wasted. Ancient water-powered grain mills are arranged on the largest channels, providing the locals with flour from their small wheat crops. The terraces are constructed of extensive rock walls and stairs, and well-kept thatch fences and hand-carved gates complete the picturesque landscape.
The bottom of the valley is intensively farmed in irrigated areas, with wheat, corn and vegetables most common. Most plowing is done using donkeys and oxen and harvesting is done by hand. Large fruit and nut trees dominate the villages, and in fall abundant amounts of walnuts, apples, apricots, grapes and other delicious treats are available. Though surrounded by extreme high altitude areas with permanent snow cover, the valley actually has a very moderate climate, with temperatures in winter People in the area are incredibly warm and hospitable, always greeting strangers with a bow and a hand over the heart. Visitors are always welcome to stay in local homes, and invitations to tea are standard practice. Visitors should not miss the chance to stay in a unique, traditional Pamiri house! The most astonishingly beautiful of these villages are Lyangar, one of the farthest settlements on the Tajik side of the valley, where a large gallery of petroglyphs is located; Zong/Isor; Shirgik, majestically located on a large rock outcrop; and Vrang, one of the largest towns on the route.
Ishkashem, at the end of the valley, has been an important trade and transportation center since ancient times, and continues to be to this day. On the opposite side of the river, in Afghanistan, the mountains part where the Vardush River pours into the Pyanj. This valley leads to the Afghan city of Faizabad. Caravans traveling through the Wakhan used to stop at an ancient caravansarai here (6th-12th cc.), and ford the river at that spot into what is now Afghanistan, because the route to the northwest was impassable through the Pyanj River canyon. Today, there are two towns, one in Tajikistan and one across the river in Afghanistan, The towns are a reasonably busy trade hub for goods passing between the two countries.
The Tajik town has an exciting "frontier" feel, and has an interesting bazaar; it is a pleasant place to have a traditional meal in a caf? and walk around. Recently, the European Union built a special trading area near Ishkashem, locally called the "Afghan Market", located just across the river in Afghanistan proper, in order to provide economic assistance to local Afghans; visitors may attend the bazaar without a visa to Afghanistan. It is one of the bizarre highlights of the area, the opportunity to buy Chinese and Pakistani products from bearded afghan villagers in Tajikistan!
More useful links: | <urn:uuid:ccfca0d7-0814-4096-8d24-8b27df262cb9> | {
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Me and You and a Dog Named Blue
Published in TC Today - Volume 24, No. 1
Angela worked for Nickelodeon and Alice worked for Children's Television Workshop. Each of them wanted to create educational television programming for children that would be the best programming around. So they came to Teachers College to learn about how children develop and how they learn. As fate would have it, Angela and Alice took the same class at the same time-"TV and the Development of Youth"-with former Assistant Professor Rosemarie Truglio. Thus began a collaboration to research and to create one of the most popular educational children's television shows: Blue's Clues.
Blue's Clues stars a tri-colored blue hound named Blue. The show appears twice a day on the Nickelodeon network as one of the main features of their Nick Jr. programming for preschoolers.
Aside from the animated dog, the show features Blue's non-animated owner, Steve Burns, who is the host of the series. Steve talks directly to the audience of preschool-age viewers, inviting them to join him in activities and asking for their help when he needs to figure something out. The name "Blue's Clues" refers to pawprints left by Blue to help Steve understand what the dog is trying to say. When Steve sees something marked with a pawprint, he draws a picture of it in his "handy dandy notebook." After finding three clues, he sits in his big red and black "thinking chair" to discuss the clues with his audience. Together, they solve the puzzle.
On a deeper level, Blue's Clues is, according to TC alumna and head writer Angela Santomero (M.A. Developmental Psychology, 1995), a venue that "bridges the gap between research and production and brings them to a higher level." Santomero created the idea for Blue's Clues with producer/director Todd Kessler and designer Traci Paige Johnson in an effort to produce a game show where children solve problems while learning a curriculum. The curriculum is subtle reinforcement of skills such as color and shape recognition, sorting, vocabulary and problem solving. And, when Steve asks the audience for their help, there is also a bit of self-esteem building going on.
"The learning aspect is embedded in what children do," Santomero explained. "The older character needs their help with a problem." The problems are relatively easy in the beginning of the show, she explained, with each one becoming a little bit harder. "By the third clue, we are sitting in a big thinking chair and have brought preschoolers through a 30-minute show remembering clues."
Alice Wilder, (Ed.D. Educational Psychology, 1998), Director of Research and Development for the show, agreed that the interactive nature of the show's design is key to learning. "They watch it and participate in it and ‘own' the knowledge for themselves," she explained.
Wilder was at Teachers College working on her dissertation about the effectiveness of instructional programs for students with learning disabilities when Santomero called and asked her to watch the pilot she had created with Kessler and Johnson. "When Angela called me and showed me the pilot, I cried," Wilder said. "I saw so many of the things we had learned in school. I could see them becoming a reality in the show they had created."
Santomero had other reasons for showing the pilot to Wilder. "In order to do 20 episodes, I needed someone who was completely smart, who could understand the kids and the show, and bridge the gap between research and production," she explained. "So I told her, ‘We need someone just like you.'" Wilder's background in working with producers and writers at Children's Television Workshop enhanced her qualifications as a researcher for this project. Wilder was also getting what she called "great research experience" at Teachers College while working on her doctorate. She saw this as her opportunity to "take what I was learning about kids and apply it to the medium of television."
Not only was it rare to have a research department as part of a production, but Santomero came up with an idea to bring another unusual element to the show. "We want kids to master the concepts," she said. "One way of doing that is to air the same show every day for a week." According to what they were hearing from teachers, parents and grandparents, repetition is one of the most important strategies used in teaching children of this age group.
"It was something different, and it was scary to present it to Nickelodeon," Santomero confessed. "But they are big on research and they understood the power of hearing from our audience to create programming strategy. With Blue's Clues, we make decisions based on the research."
Santomero said that she and Wilder "created a curriculum together from Alice's expertise and from our mission, which is to empower, challenge and increase the self-esteem of preschoolers while making them laugh. How to do that comes from what Alice does."
Every script has a goal sheet attached to it that outlines the theme of that particular show and the overall goal. A team of three researchers conducts what they call a "concept test" on every script by sitting down with preschoolers in their day-care centers. While playing out the script with the children, the researchers keep track of how they respond. Then they analyze what happened and why. "We test every script three to four times before an episode gets on the air," Wilder said. According to Santomero, it can take up to ten months of research and production before a show is finally ready.
This time and effort has apparently reaped rewards both financially and critically. A recent article in TV Guide noted that, "Since Blue's Clues premiered in September 1996, it has snowballed into the most watched show on television among preschoolers..." The article went on to say that experts in the field "adore it." "Blue's Clues," says writer David Handelman, "is one of those rare instances when commercial television is both creative and educational without sacrificing entertainment value."
"We make the show as good as we can, and there are people out there trying to document if we are fulfilling the mission," explained Wilder. "We found that kids who watch Blue's Clues scored higher in kindergarten readiness skills than the kids who don't watch the show."
But the most touching story about how the show is affecting viewers came from a parent who contacted Santomero. "A mother called us to tell us that her son is autistic and won't talk to her and her husband," Santomero explained. "The first word he spoke was to Steve (the host of Blue's Clues)."
"We don't realize the impact and influence that TV has," she continued. That influence, she believes, goes beyond the show's production. With its popularity in the United States and abroad (there is currently a British version with German, Italian and Latin American editions being developed), the usual spin-off products-clothes, toys, books, and dolls-are filling shelves in stores around the country. "We meet with people who are creating toys and talk about how influential toys can be," Santomero explained. "We put the same influence into each toy that we put into production of the show."
"The same situation occurred with one of the licensers doing a line of Blue's Clues clothing," Wilder added. "We thought, what can we do to help children dress themselves?" After speaking to parents about their children's dressing habits and what would make children feel good about themselves, the results were the addition of bigger buttons, color-matched buttons and buttonholes, and elastic-waist pants. "We don't try to pretend we know everything, but we don't want to just see Blue on a T-shirt," Santomero said. "The clothing manufacturers are the experts in their business and we are the experts in our business. We are trying to keep that marriage as manageable as possible."
When a show starts out with such a noble basis and becomes enormously popular, it's not unusual for the initial goal to fall by the wayside. Santomero said she is excited by the success of Blue's Clues but, "I stay as focused as I can on why we are here and what we are doing. I just want to change the way TV is for preschoolers." She noted that self-esteem is formed at the preschool stage, and that preschoolers are the foundation for the next generation. If Blue's Clues can improve that foundation, then they are meeting their goals.
"It is a dream, like being in the classroom but reaching millions of kids at a time," Santomero said with a smile. "It's pretty cool." | <urn:uuid:0ccc5f50-da61-4993-96d7-72a3054850b5> | {
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I'm sure you've heard that abusing alcohol hurts your health. But how many years of drinking do you think it takes to visibly affect your brain? Ten years? Twenty?
It turns out that it doesn't take that long at all—in fact, scientists can already see changes in the brains of teenagers who drink.
In a new research study, Professor Susan Tapert of the University of California at San Diego used an imaging machine called an MRI to scan the brains of teens who binge drink—defined as drinking 4 or 5 (or more) drinks in a couple of hours. Dr. Tapert found that the "white matter" in their brains—the part that transmits signals, like a television cable or a computer USB cord—was abnormal when compared with the white matter of teens who don't binge drink. Transmitting signals is a big part of what the brain does, so affecting the white matter in this way could also affect thinking, learning, and memory.
The really scary part is that these teens weren't alcoholics, and they didn't drink every day. All they did (to be considered "binge drinkers") was drink at least four (for women) or five (for men) drinks in one sitting, at least one time during the previous three months.
How could it be possible for just a few sessions of heavy drinking to affect the white matter of the brain? Well, science has shown that alcohol can poison brain cells and can alter the brain's white matter in adult alcoholics. Dr. Tapert thinks that teenagers' brains are even more susceptible this way. She says, "because the brain is still developing during adolescence, there has been concern that it may be more vulnerable to high doses of alcohol."
Many questions still remain, including how long it takes before these changes occur, and how much they affect the function of the brain. To figure this out, scientists would have to look at the binge drinkers' brains before and after they started drinking. That way, they can tell if the differences might have already been there before the teens started drinking. It's possible that having abnormal white matter in the brain somehow increases the chance of being a binge drinker. In order to answer that question, Dr. Tapert says they need to do longer studies that follow teens' brain growth over time.
The bottom line? If you're a teen, drinking to the point of getting drunk could damage the white matter of your brain—even if you do it only once in a while.
Find out more through the following resources:
- SAMHSA Fact Sheet on Binge Drinking
- NIH Fact Sheet on Underage Drinking (PDF, 305 KB)
- USCD News Release: Binge Drinking May Hamper Information Relay System in Teen Brain
- Dr. Tapert's Study: Altered White Matter Integrity in Adolescent Binge Drinkers
- NIAAA's Rethinking Drinking Web page | <urn:uuid:69006d8d-9c67-41fe-afd4-1d7d67d77323> | {
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A full and active life supported by caring relationships can reduce the occurrence of challenging behaviors in people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities1. However, if such behaviors occur, people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and those who support them must have access to positive behavioral supports that focus on improved quality of life as well as reductions in the behaviors.
People with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities need supportive and caring relationships in order to develop full and active lives. Historically, people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities across the age span have frequently been subjected to aversive procedures (i.e., electric shock, cold water sprays and deprivations like withholding food or visitation with friends and family) that may cause physical pain, discomfort and/or psychological harm. Children and adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities are frequently subjected to physical restraint, including the use of life-threatening prone restraint and seclusion for long periods of time.
Research indicates that aversive procedures such as deprivation, physical restraint and seclusion do not reduce challenging behaviors, and in fact can inhibit the development of appropriate skills and behaviors. These practices are dangerous, dehumanizing, result in a loss of dignity, and are unacceptable in a civilized society.
Research-based positive behavioral supports should be readily available in natural settings including the family home. Families, caregivers, educators, direct support personnel, and other professionals and paraprofessionals should be provided with training and support in implementing effective positive behavioral interventions and supports in all environments.
Behavioral supports should be individually designed and positive, emphasize learning, offer choice and social integration, be culturally appropriate, and include modifying environments as needed.
The Arc and AAIDD are opposed to all aversive procedures, such as electric shock, deprivation, seclusion and isolation. Interventions must not withhold essential food and drink, cause physical and/or psychological pain or result in humiliation or discomfort. Physical restraints should only be used as a last resort to eliminate the danger of physical injury to self or others.
The following factors should be considered in developing a positive behavioral intervention plan:
- The circumstances and environment in which the behavior occurred;
- The perspectives of the individual, his or her family and their social/cultural background and values;
- The contributing factors, such as physical or medical conditions, social and environmental influences;
- The completeness and accuracy of any data which has been collected about the behavior;
- The nature, extent, and frequency of the perceived challenging behavior; and
- The function of the behavior, especially what the person may be trying to communicate.
Further, any positive behavioral inventions must also include consideration of:
- The potential secondary effects and risks associated with the intervention;
- The legal, social and ethical implications;
- The ease and practicality of implementation; and
- The consistency with values of the individual’s culture.
Positive behavioral supports should be:
- Designed in a person-centered process involving the individual;
- Developed within the broader context of providing quality medical, psychological, educational, and facilitative services;
- Based on a functional analysis of the behavior and the circumstances under which it occurred, a thorough assessment of each individual’s unique abilities and contributions, and an understanding of how previous interventions worked;
- Provided through a least restrictive strategy and described in a written plan;
- Grounded in evidence-based procedures that will:
- prevent challenging behaviors;
- teach new skills that may replace challenging behaviors;
- prevent the on-going reward of a challenging behavior;
- reinforce positive behavior;
- ensure safety (when necessary); and
- provide systemic information on the effectiveness of the support.
- Used in a humane and caring manner respecting individual dignity;
- Implemented in positive, socially supportive and culturally appropriate environments, including the home;
- Carried out by individuals (i.e., staff, family members and others) who have been trained and are qualified to effectively apply positive, non-aversive approaches;
- Include adaptations to the environment and reinforcers that people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their families identify as positive; and
- Monitored continuously and systematically to ensure appropriate implementation and that the support is consistent with individual needs, positive in its methods, successful in achieving established goals, and changed in a timely fashion if success is not evident or occurring at an appropriate rate.
||Board of Directors, AAIDD
July 18, 2010
||Board of Directors, The Arc of the United States
August 23, 2010
||Congress of Delegates
November 6, 2010
1“People with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities” refers to those defined by AAIDD classification and DSM IV. In everyday language they are frequently referred to as people with cognitive, intellectual and/or developmental disabilities although the professional and legal definitions of those terms both include others and exclude some defined by DSM IV. | <urn:uuid:2024b89d-beba-4ebf-87ca-cffb12fb86d5> | {
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When he shot President Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth was 26 years old, and one of the nation’s most famous actors. (Charles DeForest Fredericks/National Portrait Gallery)
John Wilkes Booth, a Maryland native, spent the war performing in theatrical productions. But the conflict was never far from his mind. In a letter to his mother, he expressed chagrin that he hadn’t joined the Confederate army, writing, “I have … begun to deem myself a coward, and to despise my own existence.” He was outraged by the reelection of Lincoln, whom he viewed as the instigator of all the country’s woes. The month after the inauguration, Booth learned that Lincoln would be attending a performance at Ford’s Theatre on April 14. That night, he crept into Lincoln’s theater box and shot him in the back of the head. It was the first time a president had been murdered. “Wanted” posters were issued for Booth, and on April 26, he was cornered in a tobacco barn and shot by a federal sergeant, acting against orders to bring him in alive.
Several months later, Charles Creighton Hazewell, a frequent contributor, sought to make sense of the assassination—speculating that the plot may have been hatched in Canada (where a number of secessionist schemes had originated) and hinting at evidence that the plan had been endorsed at the highest levels of the Confederate government.—Sage Stossel
The assassination of President Lincoln threw a whole nation into mourning … Of all our Presidents since Washington, Mr. Lincoln had excited the smallest amount of that feeling which places its object in personal danger. He was a man who made a singularly favorable impression on those who approached him, resembling in that respect President Jackson, who often made warm friends of bitter foes, when circumstances had forced them to seek his presence; and it is probable, that, if he and the honest chiefs of the Rebels could have been brought face to face, there never would have been civil war,—at least, any contest of grand proportions; for he would not have failed to convince them that all that they had any right to claim, and therefore all that they could expect their fellow-citizens to fight for, would be more secure under his government than it had been under the governments of such men as Pierce and Buchanan, who made use of sectionalism and slavery to promote the selfish interests of themselves and their party … Ignorance was the parent of the civil war, as it has been the parent of many other evils,—ignorance of the character and purpose of the man who was chosen President in 1860–61, and who entered upon official life with less animosity toward his opponents than ever before or since had been felt by a man elected to a great place after a bitter and exciting contest …
That one of the most insignificant of [the secessionists’] number should have murdered the man whose election they declared to be cause for war is nothing strange, being in perfect keeping with their whole course. The wretch who shot the chief magistrate of the Republic is of hardly more account than was the weapon which he used. The real murderers of Mr. Lincoln are the men whose action brought about the civil war. Booth’s deed was a logical proceeding, following strictly from the principles avowed by the Rebels, and in harmony with their course during the last five years. The fall of a public man by the hand of an assassin always affects the mind more strongly than it is affected by the fall of thousands of men in battle; but in strictness, Booth, vile as his deed was, can be held to have been no worse, morally, than was that old gentleman who insisted upon being allowed the privilege of firing the first shot at Fort Sumter. Ruffin’s act is not so disgusting as Booth’s; but of the two men, Booth exhibited the greater courage,—courage of the basest kind, indeed, but sure to be attended with the heaviest risks, as the hand of every man would be directed against its exhibitor. Had the Rebels succeeded, Ruffin would have been honored by his fellows; but even a successful Southern Confederacy would have been too hot a country for the abode of a wilful murderer. Such a man would have been no more pleasantly situated even in South Carolina than was Benedict Arnold in England. And as he chose to become an assassin after the event of the war had been decided, and when his victim was bent upon sparing Southern feeling so far as it could be spared without injustice being done to the country, Booth must have expected to find his act condemned by every rational Southern man as a worse than useless crime, as a blunder of the very first magnitude. Had he succeeded in getting abroad, Secession exiles would have shunned him, and have treated him as one who had brought an ineffaceable stain on their cause, and also had rendered their restoration to their homes impossible. The pistol-shot of Sergeant Corbett saved him from the gallows, and it saved him also from the denunciations of the men whom he thought to serve. He exhibited, therefore, a species of courage that is by no means common; for he not only risked his life, and rendered it impossible for honorable men to sympathize with him, but he ran the hazard of being denounced and cast off by his own party … All Secessionists who retain any self-respect must rejoice that one whose doings brought additional ignominy on a cause that could not well bear it has passed away and gone to his account. It would have been more satisfactory to loyal men, if he had been reserved for the gallows; but even they must admit that it is a terrible trial to any people who get possession of an odious criminal, because they may be led so to act as to disgrace themselves, and to turn sympathy in the direction of the evil-doer … Therefore the shot of Sergeant Corbett is not to be regretted, save that it gave too honorable a form of death to one who had earned all that there is of disgraceful in that mode of dying to which a peculiar stigma is attached by the common consent of mankind.
Whether Booth was the agent of a band of conspirators, or was one of a few vile men who sought an odious immortality, it is impossible to say. We have the authority of a high Government official for the statement that “the President’s murder was organized in Canada and approved at Richmond”; but the evidence in support of this extraordinary announcement is, doubtless for the best of reasons, withheld at the time we write. There is nothing improbable in the supposition that the assassination plot was formed in Canada, as some of the vilest miscreants of the Secession side have been allowed to live in that country … But it is not probable that British subjects had anything to do with any conspiracy of this kind. The Canadian error was in allowing the scum of Secession to abuse the “right of hospitality” through the pursuit of hostile action against us from the territory of a neutral …
That a plan to murder President Lincoln should have been approved at Richmond is nothing strange; and though such approval would have been supremely foolish, what but supreme folly is the chief characteristic of the whole Southern movement? If the seal of Richmond’s approval was placed on a plan formed in Canada, something more than the murder of Mr. Lincoln was intended. It must have been meant to kill every man who could legally take his place, either as President or as President pro tempore. The only persons who had any title to step into the Presidency on Mr. Lincoln’s death were Mr. Johnson, who became President on the 15th of April, and Mr. Foster, one of the Connecticut Senators, who is President of the Senate … It does not appear that any attempt was made on the life of Mr. Foster, though Mr. Johnson was on the list of those doomed by the assassins; and the savage attack made on Mr. Seward shows what those assassins were capable of. But had all the members of the Administration been struck down at the same time, it is not at all probable that “anarchy” would have been the effect, though to produce that must have been the object aimed at by the conspirators. Anarchy is not so easily brought about as persons of an anarchical turn of mind suppose. The training we have gone through since the close of 1860 has fitted us to bear many rude assaults on order without our becoming disorderly. Our conviction is, that, if every man who held high office at Washington had been killed on the 14th of April, things would have gone pretty much as we have seen them go, and that thus the American people would have vindicated their right to be considered a self-governing race. It would not be a very flattering thought, that the peace of the country is at the command of any dozen of hardened ruffians who should have the capacity to form an assassination plot, the discretion to keep silent respecting their purpose, and the boldness and the skill requisite to carry it out to its most minute details: for the neglect of one of those details might be fatal to the whole project. Society does not exist in such peril as that.
john wilkes booth, a Maryland native, spent the war performing in theatrical productions. But the conflict was never far from his mind. In a letter to his mother, he expressed chagrin that he hadn’t joined the Confederate army, writing, “I have … begun to deem myself a coward, and to despise my own existence.” He was outraged by the reelection of Lincoln, whom he viewed as the instigator of all the country’s woes.
The month after the inauguration, Booth learned that Lincoln would be attending a performance at Ford’s Theatre on April 14. That night, he crept into Lincoln’s theater box and shot him in the back of the head. It was the first time a president had been murdered. “Wanted” posters were issued for Booth, and on April 26, he was cornered in a tobacco barn and shot by a federal sergeant, who acted against orders to bring him in alive.
Several months later, Charles Creighton Hazewell, a frequent Atlantic contributor, sought to make sense of the assassination—speculating that the plot may have been hatched in Canada (where a number of secessionist schemes had originated) and hinting at evidence that the plan had been endorsed at the highest levels of the Confederate government.
Read the full text of this article here.
This article available online at: | <urn:uuid:b48891ec-4670-49b3-85a7-ec1a2ad95bf5> | {
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Christmas Lights Powered By Poop
Research At UC Denver Proves Viability Of Waste As Energy Source
Last Updated: 879 days ago
A small lighted Christmas tree in a UC Denver laboratory proves the practicality of a novel renewable energy source, and points to its enormous potential.Jason Ren, an assistant professor of civil engineering, calls it "bug power" referring to the millions of bacteria that help generate electricity from wastewater. The process creates two desirable byproducts."Those bacteria are able to consume the waste and produce electricity as well as clean water," Ren said.Bacteria in the microbial fuel cells essentially eat the waste and give off electrons in the process. Those electrons are then captured by a graphite brush. Also, Ren recently discovered that salt water could be turned to fresh water as a third, simultaneous function."Electricity on one side, treating wastewater on the other side, while desalinating sea water in the middle," Ren said, pointing to a small three-chambered reactor."I think it's pretty promising," said Jae-Do Park, an assistant professor of electrical engineering. He is working to make the electricity functional."To harvest the energy from the fuel cell in the most efficient way, and at the same time to form that power from the fuel cell into a usable shape," Park said.The glowing LED lights on the laboratory Christmas tree are proof that it's possible to turn poop into power using bacteria. The microbial fuel cell research is gaining attention and from high places. The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Navy have both provided grants to help advance the technology and its applications. | <urn:uuid:232a8cec-256a-4b73-9a10-0b38bd15f4a9> | {
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A nurse attends to the children’s ward of the National Tuberculosis Hospital in Kyrgyzstan. According to the World Health Organization, more than 250,000 children develop TB each year, and for around 100,000 of them, TB is fatal. Global Fund-supported programs to fight tuberculosis, AIDS and malaria are working to improve children's health worldwide and contribute to the United Nations Millennium Development goal of reducing child mortality by two-thirds by 2015.
For more information about Global Fund photos, please e-mail: [email protected].
Copyright: The Global Fund / John Rae. | <urn:uuid:c73e7a77-2e1d-40bc-a8b1-493c5929c0ff> | {
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Indonesia Digging Up Too Much Coal: Greenpeace
Indonesia’s ambitious plans to boost coal production and exports from Kalimantan are ill-advised and not worth the environmental and social cost, according to a key report from Greenpeace.
In the “Point of No Return” report released last week, the environmental group said the Indonesian government was one of a handful of governments helping “push the world past the point of no return” by pursuing massive coal, oil and gas projects that would produce as much new carbon dioxide emissions in 2020 as the entire United States.
“These new climate-changing mega-projects are the direct result of the hypocrisy shown by a handful of governments,” Kumi Naidoo, the executive director of Greenpeace International, said in a press release on the organization’s website.
“These governments claim they want to prevent catastrophic climate change, but shamefully continue to approve and promote major fossil fuel projects that will lead to climate chaos and devastation,” he added.
In Indonesia’s case, the report said, the government was risking the livelihoods of indigenous people and the rich biodiversity in Kalimantan by continuing to increase coal production.
“As a result of expansion in Kalimantan, Indonesia’s coal output has been surging — reaching an average growth rate of 20 percent a year since 2000, from 77 million tons a year to 325 million tons in 2011,” the report said.
“The planned increase in coal exports would produce an additional 460Mt [megatons] of greenhouse gas emissions, as much CO2 as the entire emissions of the UK in 2010.”
The report warned that in order to achieve that increase, mining firms would expand their operations onto land belonging to indigenous groups, resulting in polluted groundwater, loss of livelihoods, health problems and disputes.
“While the Indonesian government pays lip service to environmental sustainability in the Master Plan for the Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesia’s Economic Development (MP3EI), it largely ignores the terrible price those living around the mines will have to pay,” Greenpeace said.
“Reports have surfaced of the oppression of those speaking out against the destructive mining practices.”
Mining operations would also threaten huge swaths of rainforest that are home to endangered species such as the orangutan, thereby racking up major environmental and social costs, Greenpeace said.
“Now, the Indonesian government is planning to spend public money on infrastructure investments and incentives that aim to dramatically increase coal exports from Kalimantan even further. The toll on the people and the environment will be enormous,” the report said. | <urn:uuid:1ddac3db-872d-40d1-a6a3-c196ef41bb9b> | {
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The Siddur That Saved A Life
An extract from In Search of Holiness, a newly published collection of writings of the late Rabbi Ephraim Gastwirth.
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The real sermons in life, those which have the greatest impact, are not those which are delivered from the lofty tower of a pulpit to a congregation who are, for the most part, disinclined to be influenced by what they hear.
The effective sermons are those that take us unawares, sideways, without our realizing that we are listening to something that will change our lives.
Such a sermon came to me in Shul, but it was not from the Rabbi, nor was it spoken from the pulpit. It came from my neighbour and it was delivered off the cuff, in a bitter tone and during the service!
He occupied the seat next to mine, and he used to pray in an old and somewhat battered pocket Siddur, the pages of which often drifted to the floor, so that he had to wriggle under the seat to retrieve them. Once, somewhat irritated by these manoeuverings, I presumed to suggest, only half in jest, that it was time he bought a new Siddur.
He turned to me, his face flushed with anger. "This Siddur saved my life, and it will be buried with me".
My irritation gave way to curiosity and I looked sympathetic so that he was encouraged to continue. "As you know", he said, "I spent three years in Auschwitz. Somehow, I managed to smuggle in my Tefillin and this Siddur. I was young and strong and so I was allocated to work in the adjacent arms factory which utilized the inmates of the concentration camp as slave labour".
"We lived surrounded by death, the slightest sign of illness or weakness meant instant dispatch to the gas chambers. One lived by faith alone. Every morning I would rise a little before the others, put on my Tefillin and pray in this Siddur". And he grasped it until his knuckles were white.
"One day stands out in my mind as even more terrible than the rest. I had returned from work, weak and exhausted as usual. Automatically, I slipped my hand into my hiding place to feel for my Tefillin, they were gone! Without them I felt that I had neither the strength nor the will to survive. Every morning they had given
me an injection of courage; they had raised me above an inferno worse than anything Dante had imagined. They connected me to life as a diver is attached to his air-line. They were, almost literally, the dividing line between life and death, one's daily reminder that Hashem was still alive somewhere and that hope still remained.
"But now they were gone! I knew that I could not survive without them. Later that night when all were asleep, I slipped out, risking certain death if caught, and began a systematic search of the grounds. Some deranged person must have thrown them away - out of jealousy perhaps. Who knows? Perhaps someone whom the Nazis had succeeded in turning into an animal, whose Divine spirit they had succeeded in crushing".
"What shall I tell you?" He was pleading with me now to understand him. "That night changed my life forever. I looked Hell in the eye and survived. I crawled and felt my way round and through corpses, living and dead, through rubbish heaps some of which had once been human beings, and I found my lost Tefillin and Siddur! By the side of the barracks where they had been thrown".
"I was conscious of a great surge of spirit, almost of elation. My soul seemed to leave me and soar over my pathetic body. I must survive, I would survive, miracles are not made in vain. Shortly afterwards, we were liberated. I never did find out who had stolen them or why he had done this appalling thing which could bring him no benefit. Was it simply the act of a man who could not bear to see that Hitler had not succeeded in destroying my spirit as he had destroyed his own? The wicked hate to see goodness, it demeans them".
"That night I learned that holiness exists even in the midst of evil, and that to find it you have to exert every ounce of strength, to stretch yourself to the uttermost limits, to reach upwards until your feet barely touch the earth".
He looked down at his Siddur, kissed it reverently and began to pray from it with great fervour. That was the greatest sermon I had ever heard, and it was told by a simple man who had shaken off the dust of Nazi Europe and made a new life in Israel.
Had he realized, I reflected, that his story exactly paralleled the history of Israel in exile? It might almost have been a parable. It was only the fierce attachment of Israel to its Torah and its prayer book that has kept the nation alive throughout its long night of exile. There have been many who have attempted to rob us of this precious lifeline but we have spent the whole of the long dark night desperately determined not to lose it, knowing of a certainty that there could be no meaningful existence for Israel without its Torah and its code of communication to the Eternal.
In Search Of Holiness - The Writings of Rabbi Ephraim Levy Gastwirth, edited by Ruth Last, Mazo Publishers, Israel, £19.95.
Rabbi Gastwirth, a former minister of South Hampstead, Sunderland, Blackpool and Sale congregations, and director of Jewish studies at Carmel College, died two years ago. | <urn:uuid:0026f95e-89e5-4799-9f5e-f7be90d3cf73> | {
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MOTHERS PREPARING the family meals for a week have been advised to replace meat with beans or lentils once a week – a move which could help to “fix the world’s broken food system”.
The suggestion is part of a new worldwide campaign by Oxfam to address the world’s food imbalance, pointing out that the amount of food thrown away by people in richer countries is almost the same amount as that produced by all of sub-Saharan Africa.
The campaign follows a survey carried out among mothers living in urban areas, in which 73 per cent said they would like to know how to make a difference when shopping for food, and 83 per cent said they would be interested in using less energy when cooking.
Oxfam Ireland said the results of the survey – which also showed over three-quarters of respondents saying they would be happy to make changes like offering one meat-free meal a week – showed an opportunity to harness “the immense power of the individual”.
Chief executive Jim Clarken said the campaign hoped to get across the message that individual people can together be “a powerful force for change”.
“What we do in the supermarket or in the kitchen does matter. Small actions taken by enough people add up,” he said.
Oxfam’s five suggestions are:
- Eating less meat: Oxfam says urban households in the US, UK, Brazil and Spain ate one meat-free meal per week for a year, the greenhouse gas emissions saved would be the equivalent of scrapping 3.7 million cars;
- Reduce food waste: If one in six apples is thrown away, this adds up to 5.3 billion apples a year – the equivalent to 10 billion barrels of oil in terms of growing, trading and decomposing the apples thrown away;
- Support small food producers: The welfare of 90,000 cocoa farms could be transformed if consumers bought two Fair Trade chocolate bars per month instead of an alternative;
- Buy seasonal: Buying food that is out of season creates extra demand for it, which results in the use of more energy for storage and production;
- Cook smarter: Simple actions like putting a lid on a boiling pot can cut energy use by up to 70 per cent.
“If enough people act, the reverberations will be felt right along the food chain,” Clarken said.
Oxfam International’s full report on the global food system can be downloaded here. | <urn:uuid:fde118a5-5a43-4679-ab56-dda2db5b5f7f> | {
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Reforming the Reformation
A Description of Christ
- Richard Sibbes (1577 - 1635) was a Puritan theologian, Cambridge academic, and much-loved author. View all resources by Richard Sibbes
"Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my Spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgement to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets," &c.—Matt. 12:18.
The words are the accomplishment of a prophecy, taken out of Isaiah 52:1,2, as we may see by the former verse, 'that it might be fulfilled.' Now the occasion of bringing them in here in this verse, it is a charge that Christ gives, verse 16, that they should not reveal and make him known because of the miracles he did. He withdraws himself; he was desirous to be concealed, he would not allow himself to be seen over much, for he knew the rebellious disposition of the Jews, who were eager to change their government, and to make him king. Therefore, he laboured to conceal himself in various ways. Now, upon this injunction, that they should tell nobody, he brings in the prophet Isaiah prophesying of him, 'Behold my servant, &c.; he shall not strive nor cry, neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.' Other kings labour that their pomp and magnificence may be seen; but he does not desire ostentation, he shall not be contentious nor clamorous. For these three things are meant when he says, 'he shall not strive, nor cry, neither shall his voice be heard in the streets;' he shall not yield himself to any ostentation, for he came in an abased state to work our salvation; he shall not be contentious, nor yet clamorous in matter of wrong; there shall be no boasting any kind of way, as we shall see when we come to the words. You see, then, the inference here.
The purpose of the prophet Isaiah is to comfort the people, and to direct them how to come to worship the true God, after he had preached against their idolatry, as we see in the former chapter, 'Behold my servant,' &c. Great princes have their ambassadors, and the great God of heaven has his Son, his servant in whom he delights, through whom, and by whom, all dealings between God and man are.
As is usual in the prophecies, especially of Isaiah, that evangelical prophet, when he foretells anything to comfort the people in the promise of temporal things, he rises to establish their faith in better things. He does this by adding to them a prophecy, a promise of Christ the Messiah, to assert thus much: I will send you the Messiah, and that is a greater gift than this that I have promised you; therefore you may be sure of the lesser one. As the apostle reasons excellently, 'If he spared not his own son, but delivered him to death for us all, how shall he not with him give us all things?' Rom. 8:32. So here, I have promised you deliverance out of Babylon, and this and that; do you doubt of the performance? Alas! what is that in comparison to a greater favour I intend for you in Christ, that shall deliver you out of another type of Babylon? 'Behold my servant whom I have chosen;' and in Isaiah 7:14, 'Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,' &c. I will send you the Messiah; God shall become man; therefore, I will not stand for any outward favour or deliverance whatsoever. So he goes on to the grand promise, that they might reason from the greater to the less.
There is another purpose, why in other promises there is mention of the promise of the Messiah: to uphold their faith. Alas! we are unworthy of these promises, we are so laden with sin and iniquity. It is no matter, I will send you the Messiah. 'Behold my servant in whom my soul delighteth,' and for his sake I will delight in you. I am well pleased with you, because I am well pleased in him; therefore, be not discouraged. All the promises are yea and amen in Jesus Christ,' 2 Cor. 1:20; for all the promises that be, though they be for the things of this life, they are made for Christ, they are yea in him, and they are performed for his sake, they are amen in him. So much for the occasion of the quotation in the evangelist St Matthew, and likewise in the prophet Isaiah.
To come more directly to the words, 'Behold my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased,' &c.
In the words you have a description of Christ, and his nearness to God: Behold my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased.' And then his calling and attainments: 'I will put my Spirit upon him.' And the execution of that calling: 'He shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.' Then the quiet and peaceable manner of the execution of his calling: 'He shall not strive nor cry, neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets,' &c.
Behold!—This word is as it were a lighted beacon. In all the evangelists you have this word often repeated, and the prophets likewise when they speak of Christ; there is no almost prophecy but there is this word, 'Behold.'
Why? The use of it in the prophet, especially out of which these words are taken, was to present Christ to the hearts of the people of God at that time; therefore he says, 'Behold,' for Christ was present to the believers then. Christ did profit them before he was, he did good before he was exhibited, because he was 'the Lamb of God slain from the beginning of the world,' Rev. 13:8; he was yesterday as well as to-day, and tomorrow as well as to-day, 'yesterday, to-day, and the same for over,' Heb. 13:8. He was present to their faith, present to them in types and sacrifices, and present in God's acceptation of him for them. Therefore, the prophets mount up with the wing of prophecy, and seeing the certainty of the things to come, they speak as if they were present, as if they had looked on Christ before them, 'Behold my servant,' and 'Behold a virgin,' &c.
But that is not all. Another purpose of this word 'behold,' was to call the people's minds from their miseries, and from other abasing objects that dejected them, which might force them to despair. Why do you dwell upon your unworthiness and sin? Raise up your mind, 'Behold my servant whom I have chosen,' &c. This is an object worth beholding and admiring, especially by a distressed soul that may see in Christ whatsoever may comfort it.
A third purpose of it is to raise the mind from any vulgar, common, base contentments. You look on these things, and are carried away with common trivial objects, as the poor disciples when they came to the temple; they stood wondering at the stones. What wondrous stones! What a great building is here! (Mark 13:1) So shallow-minded men, when they see any earthly excellency, they stand gazing. Alas, says Christ, do you wonder at these things? In the same way the prophet here raises up the minds of men to look on an object fit to be looked on, 'Behold my servant,' &c. He intends that the Holy Ghost would have them from this saving object, Christ, to receive satisfaction to their souls in every way. Are you dejected? Here is comfort. Are you sinful? Here is righteousness. Are you led away with present contentments? Here you have honours, and pleasures, and all in Christ Jesus. You have a right to common pleasures that others have, and besides them you have claim to others that are everlasting pleasures that shall never fail, so that there is nothing that is dejecting and abasing in man, but there is comfort for it in Christ Jesus; he is a salve for every sore, a remedy for every malady; therefore, 'Behold my servant.'
My servant.—Christ is called a servant, first, in respect of his creation, because being a man, as a creature he was a servant. But that is not all.
He was a servant in respect of his condition. Servant implies a base and low condition, Philip. 2:7. Christ took upon him the form of a servant; he emptied himself; he was the lowest of all servants in condition: for none was ever so abased as our glorious Saviour.
And then, it is a name of office, as well as of base condition. There are ordinary servants and extraordinary, as great kings have their servants of state. Despite his abasement, Christ was a servant of state, he was an ambassador sent from the great God; a prophet, a priest, and a king, as we shall see afterwards; an extraordinary servant, to do a work of service that all the angels in heaven, and all the men on the earth joined together, could not perform. This great masterpiece of service was to bring God and man together again, that were at variance, as it is, 1 Peter 3:18, 'to bring us to God.' We were severed and scattered from God. His office was to gather us together again, to bring us all to one head again, to bring us to himself, and so to God, to reconcile us, as the Scripture phrase is, Col. 1:20. Now, it being the greatest work and service that over was, it required the greatest servant; for no creature in the world could perform it. All the angels of heaven would have sunk under this service. They could never have given satisfaction to divine justice; for the angels themselves, when they sinned, could not recover themselves, but sunk under their own sin eternally. Thus we see how Christ is God's servant, who set him apart, and chose him to this service.
And then he was a servant to us; for the Son of man came to minister, not to be ministered unto, Matt. 20:28. He washed his disciples' feet. He was a servant to us, because he did our work and suffered our punishment; we made him serve by our sins, as the prophet says, Isa. 53:24. He is a servant that bears another man's burden. There was a double burden— of obedience active, and obedience passive. He bore them both. He came under the law for us, both doing what we should have done, and indeed far more acceptably, and suffering that we should have suffered, and far more acceptably. He being our surety, being a more excellent person, he did bear our burden, and did our work, therefore he was God's servant, and our servant; and God's servant, because he was our servant, because he came to do a work on our behalf.
Herein appears the admirable love and care of God to us wretched creatures, here is matter of wonderment.
Whence comes it that Christ is a servant? It is from the wondrous love of God, and the wondrous love of Christ. To be so abased, it was wondrous love in God to give him to us to be so abased, and the wondrous misery we were in, that we could not otherwise be freed from; for such was the pride of man, that he, being man, would exalt himself to be like God. God became man, he became a servant to expiate our pride in Adam, so that it is wondrous in the spring of it. There was no such love as Christ's to become a servant, there was no such misery as we were in, out of which we were delivered by this abasement of Christ becoming a servant; so it is wondrous in that regard, springing from the infinite love and mercy of God, which is greater in the work of redemption and reconciliation than in the creation of the world, for the distance between nothing and something was less than the distance between sin and happiness. For nothing adds no opposition; but to be in a sinful state there is opposition. Therefore it was greater love and mercy for God, when we were sinful, and so obnoxious to eternal destruction, to make us of sinners, not only men, but to make us happy, to make us heirs of heaven out of a sinful and cursed estate, than to make us of nothing something, to make us men in Adam, for there God prevailed over nothing, but here his mercy triumphed over that which is opposite to God, over sinfulness and cursedness. To show that the creature cannot be so low but there is somewhat in God above the misery of the creature, his mercy shall triumph over the basest estate where he will show mercy. Therefore there is mercy above all mercy and love above all love, in that Christ was a servant.
Is the Lord Christ a servant? This should teach us not to stand upon any terms. If Christ had stood upon terms, if he had refused to take upon him the shape of a servant, alas! Where had we and our salvation been? And yet wretched creatures, we think ourselves too good to do God and our brethren any service. Christ stood not upon his greatness, but, being equal with God, he became a servant. Oh! we should dismount from the tower of our conceited excellency. The heart of man is a proud creature, a proud piece of flesh. Men stand upon their distance. What! Shall I stoop to him? I am thus and thus. We should descend from the heaven of our conceit, and take upon us the form of servants, and abase ourselves to do good to others, even to any, and account it an honour to do any good to others in the places we are in. Christ did not think himself too good to leave heaven, to conceal and veil his majesty under the veil of our flesh, to work our redemption, to bring us out of the cursed estate we were in. Shall we think ourselves too good for any service? Who for shame can be proud when he thinks of this, that God was abased? Shall God be abased, and man proud? Shall God become a servant, and shall we that are servants think much to serve our fellow-servants? Let us learn this lesson, to abase ourselves; we cannot have a better pattern to look unto than our blessed Saviour. A Christian is the greatest freeman in the world; he is free from the wrath of God, free from hell and damnation, from the curse of the law; but then, though he be free in these respects, yet, in regard of love, he is the greatest servant. Love abases him to do all the good he can; and the more the Spirit of Christ is in us, the more it will abase us to anything wherein we can be serviceable.
Then, again, here is comfort for us, that Christ, in whatsoever he did in our redemption, is God's servant. He is appointed by God to the work; so, both God and Christ meet together in the work. Christ is a voluntary in it, for he emptied himself, he took upon him the form of a servant, Phil. 2:6, he came from heaven voluntarily. And then withal the Father joins with him, the Father appointed him and sent him, the Father laid him as the corner-stone, the Father sealed him, as it is, John 6:27, the Father set him out, as it is, Rom. 3:25. 'He has set him out as the propitiatory.' Therefore, when we think of reconciliation and redemption, and salvation wrought by Christ, let us comfort ourselves in the solidity of the work, that it is a service perfectly done. It was done by Christ, God-man. It is a service accepted of God, therefore God cannot refuse the service of our salvation wrought by Christ. Christ was his servant in the working of it. We may present it to God, it is the obedience of thy servant, it is the satisfaction of thy servant. Here is that will give full content and satisfaction to conscience, in this, that whatsoever Christ did, he was God's servant in it. But we shall better understand the intent of the Holy Ghost when we have gone over the rest of the words, 'Behold my servant whom I have chosen.'
Christ was chosen before all worlds to be the head of the elect. He was predestinated and ordained by God. As we are ordained to salvation, so Christ is ordained to be the head of all that shall be saved. He was chosen eternally, and chosen in time. He was singled out to the work by God; and all others that are chosen are chosen in him. There had been no choosing of men but in him; for God saw us so defiled, lying in our filth, that he could not look upon us but in his Son. He chose him, and us in him.
Here is meant, not only choosing by eternal election to happiness, but a choosing to office. There is a choosing to grace and glory, and a choosing to office. Here, it is as well meant, a choosing to office, as to grace and glory. God, as he chose Christ to grace and glory, so he chose him to the office of Mediatorship. Christ did not choose himself; he was, no usurper. No man calls himself to the office, as it is in Heb. 5:4; but Christ was called and appointed of God. He was willing, indeed, to the work, he took it voluntary upon him; but as Mediator, God chose him, God the Father. If we respect eternal salvation, or grace, or office, Christ was chosen in respect of his manhood; for, as it is well observed by divines, Christ is the head of all that are predestinated; and the human nature of Christ could not merit its choice, it could not merit its incarnation, it could not merit union with the Godhead, it was merely from grace. How could Christ's manhood deserve anything of God before it was? Things must have a subsistence before they can work: our blessed Saviour is the pattern of all election, and his manhood could not merit to be knit to the second person; as how could it, being a creature? Therefore the knitting of the human nature of Christ to his divine, it is called the grace of union. The choosing of the human nature of Christ to be so gracious and glorious, it was of grace.
This adds to our comfort, that whatsoever Christ did for us, he did it as chosen; he is a chosen stone, as St Peter says, I Peter ii. 6, 'a precious corner-stone;' though refused of the builders, yet precious in God's sight.
Was Christ a chosen servant of God, and shall not we take God's choice? Is not God's choice the best and the wisest? Has God chosen Christ to work our salvation, and shall we choose any other? Shall we run to saints' mediation, to the virgin Mary, and others, for intercession, which is a part of Christ's office? Who chose Mary, and Peter, and Paul to this work? There is no mention in Scripture of them for this purpose, but behold my servant, whom I have chosen.
God in paradise did choose a wife for Adam, so God has chosen a husband for his church; he has chosen Christ for us: therefore it is intolerable sacrilegious rebellion and impudency to refuse a Saviour and Mediator of God's choosing, and to set up others of our own, as if we were wiser to choose for ourselves than God is. We may content ourselves well enough with God's choice, because he is the party offended.
And this directs us also, in our devotions to God, how to carry ourselves in our prayers and services, to offer Christ to God. Behold, Lord, thy chosen servant, that thou hast chosen to be my Mediator, my Saviour, my all in all to me, he is a mediator and a Saviour of thine own choosing, thou canst not refuse thy own choice; if thou look upon me, there is nothing but matter of unworthiness, but look upon him whom thou hast chosen, my head and my Saviour!
Again, if Christ be a chosen servant, O let us take heed how we neglect Christ. When God has chosen him for us, shall not we think him worthy to be embraced and regarded; shall we not kiss the Son with the kiss of love, and faith, and subjection? He is a Saviour of God's own choosing, refuse him not. What is the reason that men refuse this chosen stone? They will not be laid low enough to build upon this corner stone, this hidden stone. The excellency of Christ is hidden, it appears not to men, men will not be squared to be built upon him. Stones for a building must be framed, and made even, and flat. Men stick with this and that lust, they will not be pared and cut and fitted for Christ. If they may have their lusts and wicked lives, they will admit of Christ. But we must make choice of him as a stone to build upon him; and to be built on him, we must be made like him. We like not this laying low and abasing, therefore we refuse this corner stone, though God has made him the corner of building to all those that have the life of grace here, or shall have glory hereafter.
The papists admit him to be a stone, but not the only stone to build on, but they build upon him and saints, upon him and works, upon him and traditions. But he is the only corner stone. God has chosen him only, and we must choose him only, that we may be framed and laid upon him to make up one building. So much for that, 'Behold my servant whom I have chosen.'
My Beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased.— How do we know that these words in the prophet Isaiah are fitly appliable to Christ? By the greatest authority that ever was from the beginning of the world, by the immediate voice of God the Father from heaven, who applies these words in Isaiah to Christ, Matt. 3:17, in his inauguration when he was baptized, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,' this is that my Son, that beloved, agaphtoV, the beloved Son, so beloved that my soul delights in him, he is capable of my whole love, I may pour out my whole love upon him. 'In whom I am well pleased,' it is the same with that here,'in whom my soul delighteth,' the one expresses the other.
How, and in what respect is Christ thus beloved of God?
First as he is God, the Son of God, the engraven image of his Father, so he is primum amabile, the first lovely thing that ever was. When the Father loves him, he loves himself in him, so he loves him as God, as the second person, as his own image and character.
And as man he loves him, for as man he was the most excellent creature in the world, he was conceived, fashioned, and framed in his mother's womb by the Holy Ghost. It is said, Heb. 10:5, God gave him a body. God the Father by the Holy Ghost fashioned and framed and fitted him with a body, therefore God must needs love his own workmanship.
Again, there was nothing in him displeasing to God, there was no sin found in his life any way, therefore as man he was well pleasing to God. He took the manhood and ingrafted it into the second person, and enriched it there; therefore he must needs love the manhood of Christ, being taken into so near a union with the Godhead.
As God and man mediator especially, he loves and delights in him. In regard of his office, he must needs delight in his own ordinance and decree. Now lie decreed and sealed him to that office, therefore he loves and delights in him as a mediator of his own appointing and ordaining, to be our king, and priest, and prophet.
Again, he loved and delighted in him, in regard of the execution of his office both in doing and suffering. In doing, the evangelist says, 'He did all things well,' Mark 7:37. When he healed the sick, and raised the dead, and cured all diseases, whatsoever he did was well done. And for his suffering, God delighted in him for that, as it is in John 10:17, 'My Father loves me, because I lay down my life;' and so in Isa. 53:12, 'He shall divide him a portion with the great, because he poured out his soul unto death;' and in Phil. 2:9, 'Because he abased himself to the death of the cross, God gave him a name above all names:' therefore God loves and delights in him for his suffering and abasement.
Now, that Christ's sacrifice was so acceptable to God, there is a direct place for it in Eph. 5:2, 'Walk in love, as Christ has loved us, and has given himself an offering and a sacrifice to God of a sweet smell.' And indeed how many sweet savours were there in the sacrifice of Christ offered on the cross! Was there not the sweet savour of obedience? He was 'obedient to the death of the cross,' Phil. 2:8. There was the sweet savour of patience, and of love to mankind. Therefore God delighted in him, as God, as man, as mediator God-man, in his doings, in his sufferings, every way.
Does God delight thus in Christ, in his person, or considered mystically? I answer; both. God loves and delights in Christ mystical, that is, in Christ and his members, in whole Christ. 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,' not only with whom alone by himself, but 'in whom,' in him as God, in him in body and soul, in him as head of the church, in him mystically, in all that are under him any kind of way. God delights in him, and all his.
Is it possible that he should delight in the head, and refuse the members? that he should love the husband, and mislike the spouse? O no; with the same love that God loves Christ, he loves all his. He delights in Christ and all his, with the same delight. There is some difference in the degree, 'that Christ in all things may have the pre-eminence,' Col. 1:18, but it is the same love; therefore our Saviour sets it down excellently in his own prayer, he desires 'that the same love wherewith his Father loved him may be in them that are his,' John 17:20, that they may feel the love wherewith his Father loves him, for he loved him and his members, him and his spouse, with all one love.
This is our comfort and our confidence, that God accepts us, because he accepts his beloved; and when he shall cease to love Christ, he shall cease to love the members of Christ. They and Christ make one mystical Christ. This is our comfort in dejection for sin. We are so and so indeed, but Christ is the chosen servant of God, 'in whom he delighteth,' and delights in us in him. It is no matter what we are in ourselves, but what we are in Christ when we are once in him and continue in him. God loves us with that inseparable love wherewith he loves his own Son. Therefore St Paul triumphs, Rom. 8:35, 'What shall separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus?' This love, it is founded in Christ, 'therefore neither things present, nor things to come (as he goes on there gloriously), shall be able to separate us.' You see what a wondrous confidence and comfort we have hence, if we labour to be in Christ, that then God loves and delights in us, because he loves and delights in Christ Jesus.
And here is a wondrous comfort, that God must needs love our salvation and redemption when he loves Christ, because 'he poured out his soul to death to save us.' Does not God delight that we should be saved, and our sins should be forgiven, when he loves Christ because he abased himself for that purpose? What a prop and foundation of comfort is this, when the devil shall present God to us in a terrible hideous manner, as an avenging God, 'and consuming fire,' &c., Heb. 12:29; indeed out of Christ he is so. Let us present to ourselves thoughts of God as the Scripture sets forth God to us; and as God sets forth himself, not only in that sweet relation Ps a Father to Christ, but our father, 'I go to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God,' John 20:17, having both one God, and love and care. There is none of us all but the devil will have a saying to us, either in the time of our life, in some terrible temptation, especially when any outward abasement comes, or at the hour of death; and all the cordials we have gathered out of the word will then be little enough to support the drooping soul, especially in the hour of temptation. O beloved, what a wondrous anchor and satisfaction to a distressed conscience does this yield, that Christ in all that he has wrought for us is God's chosen servant, 'whom he loves and delights in,' and delights in him for this very work, that he abased himself and gave himself for us, that he wrought God's work, because he wrought reconciliation for us! If we can believe in Christ, we see here what ground of comfort we have, that God loves and delights in us, as he does in his own Son.
And what a comfort is it now, in our daily approach to God, to minister boldness to us in all our suits, that we go to God in the name of one that he loves, 'in whom his soul delights,' that we have a friend in court, a friend in heaven for us, that is at the right hand of God, and interposes himself there for us in all our suits, that makes us acceptable, that perfumes our prayers and makes them acceptable. His intercession is still by virtue of his service, dying for us. He intercedes by virtue of his redemption. If God love him for the work of redemption, he loves him for his intercession, therefore God must needs regard the prayers made by him, by virtue of his dying for us, when he loves him for dying for us. Be sure therefore, in all our suits to God, to take along our older brother, to take our beloved brother, take Benjamin with us, offer all to God in him, our persons to be accepted in him, our prayers our hearing, our works, and all that we do, and we shall be sure to speed; for he is one in whom the soul of God delights. There must be this passage and repassage, as God looks upon us lovely in him, and delights in us as we are members of him. All God's love and the fruits of it come to us as we are in Christ, and are one with him. Then in our passage to God again we must return all, and do all, to God in Christ. Be sure not to go to a naked God; for so he is 'a consuming fire,' but go to him in the mediation of him whom he loves, 'and in whom his soul delighteth.'
And shall God love him and delight in him, and shall not our soul delight in Christ? This therefore should stir up our affections to Christ, to be faithful in our conjugal affection as the spouse of Christ, to say, 'My beloved is mine and I am my beloved's,' Cant. 2:16. Christ calls his church, 'My love and my dove,' Cant. 6:9. Does Christ delight in us, and God delight in Christ, and shall not we delight in Christ that delights in us, and in whom God delights? In I Cor. 16:22, the apostle is bold to pronounce a bitter curse, 'Anathema Maranatha,' upon him that loves not the Lord Christ Jesus, a most bitter curse. When Christ shall become a servant to do our work for us, to suffer for us, to bear the burden of our sins upon the tree, to become our husband, to bestow his riches upon us, to raise us to the same condition with himself, and withal to be such, a one as God has chosen out to love and delight in as the best object of his love, and most capable of it, and for us not to solace and delight ourselves in him that God delights in, when God delights in him for our sake. God loves and delights in him for the work of salvation and redemption by his blood, and shall not we love and embrace him for his love which is for our good? What good has God by it but only the glory of his mercy, in saving our souls through Christ? Therefore if God love him for the good he does to us, much more should we love him for the fruit of it that we receive ourselves.
It should shame us therefore when we find dulness and coldness upon us, that we can hear of anything better than of Christ; and arguments concerning Christ are cold to us. Alas! Where is our love, and joy, and delight; and when we can make no better but a carnal use of the incarnation and other benefits by Christ? We should therefore desire God to shed the love of Christ into our hearts more and more, that we may feel in our souls the love that he bears to us, and may love God and Christ again, for that that he has done for us.
Hence we have also a ground of estimation of Christians to be excellent persons. Does God value poor sinful souls so much as to give Christ for them to become a Saviour? Does he delight in Christ for giving himself for them? And shall not we love one another whom God and Christ so loves?
But if God love and delight in those that are in Christ, with the same love and delight that he has in him, how shall I know that I am in Christ, and that God thus delights in me?
Briefly, a man may know that he is in Christ, if he find the Spirit of Christ in him; for the same Spirit when Christ took our nature, that sanctified that blessed mass whereof he was made, when there was a union between him and the second person, the same Spirit sanctifies our souls and bodies. There is one Spirit in the head and in the members. Therefore if we find the Spirit of Christ in us, we are in Christ and he in us. Now this Spirit is renewing, 'Whosoever is in Christ is a new creature,' 2 Cor. 5:17; all is new, 'old things are done away,' the old manner of language, the old disposition, old affections, old company, all old things are past, all is new; and if a man be a new creature, he has right and title to 'the new heaven and new earth,' 2 Pet. 3:13. Let us examine the work of grace in us. If there be no change in us we have no present interest in Christ. We have to do with him because he is still wooing us to be in him, but as yet we have no title to him.
The very beholding of Christ is a transforming sight. The Spirit that makes us new creatures, and stirs us up to behold this servant, it is a transforming beholding. If we look upon him with the eye of faith, it will make us like Christ; for the gospel is a mirror, and such a mirror, that when we look into it, and see ourselves interested in it, we are changed from glory to glory, 2 Cor. 3:18. A man cannot look upon the love of God and of Christ in the gospel, but it will change him to be like God and Christ. For how can we see Christ, and God in Christ, but we shall see how God hates sin, and this will transform us to hate it as God does, who hated it so that it could not be expiated but with the blood of Christ, God-man. So, seeing the holiness of God in it, it will transform us to be holy. When we see the love of God in the gospel, and the love of Christ giving himself for us, this will transform us to love God. When we see the humility and obedience of Christ, when we look on Christ as God's chosen servant in all this, and as our surety and head, it transforms us to the like humility and obedience. Those that find not their dispositions in some comfortable measure wrought to this blessed transformation, they have not yet those eyes that the Holy Ghost requires here. 'Behold my servant whom I have chosen. my beloved in whom my soul delighteth.'
I will put my Spirit upon him. —Now we come to the qualification of Christ for his calling, in these words, I will put my Spirit upon him—that is, I will clothe him with my Spirit, I will put it, as it were, upon him as a garment.
Now there were divers degrees of Christ's receiving the Spirit at several times. For he was conceived by the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost did sanctify that blessed mass whereof his body was framed in the womb of the virgin, he was quickened in the womb in his conception by the Holy Ghost, and he was graced by the Holy Ghost, and led by the Spirit in all things before his baptism. But afterward, when he came to set upon his office, to be the prophet and priest and king of his church, that great office of saving mankind, which he did not solmnly set upon till he was thirty years old, then God poured upon him a special portion of the Spirit, answerable to that great calling, then the Spirit lighted upon him, Matt. 3:16. Christ was ordained to his office by the greatest authority that ever any was ordained from the beginning of the world. For at his baptism, when he was ordained and set apart to his office, there was the Father from heaven uttered an audible voice, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,' Mat. 3:17; and there was Christ, the party baptized and installed into that great office; then there was the Holy Ghost, in the form and shape of a dove. It being a matter of the greatest consequence that ever was in the world, greater than the creation, it was fit it should be done with the greatest authority; and so it was, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost being present at the admission of Christ into his office. This is especially here intended, though the other be included, I will put my Spirit upon him that is, I will anoint him, as it is in Isa. 61:1, 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,' says Christ, 'because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, to open the prison for them that are bound, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord'—that is, the year of jubilee, for that was a type of Christ, to preach the gospel deliverance to all that are in captivity, servitude, and thraldom under Satan and sin. This was accomplished when Christ, at his baptism, entered upon his office. God put his Spirit upon him, to set him apart, to ordain him, and to equip him with abundance of grace for the work; for there are these three things especially meant by putting the Spirit upon him, separation or setting apart, and ordaining, and enriching with the gifts of the Spirit.
When any one is called to a great place, there is a setting apart from others, and an ordaining to that particular, and an equipping. If it be a calling of God, he equips where he ordains always.
It may be objected, Christ was God himself; he had the Spirit, and gives the Spirit; therefore, how could the Spirit be put upon him?
I answer, Christ is both God and man. Christ, as God, gives the Spirit to his human nature; so he communicates his Spirit. The Spirit is his Spirit as well as the Father's. The Spirit proceeds from them both. Christ, as man, receives the Spirit. God the Father and the Son put the Spirit upon the manhood of Christ; so Christ both gives and receives the Spirit in diverse respects. As God, he gives and sends the Spirit. The spiration and breathing of the Spirit is from him as well as from the Father, but as man he received the Spirit.
And this is the reason of it: next under the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Christ the Mediator, was to be the spring and original of all comfort and good. Therefore, Christ's nature must not only be sanctified and ordained by the Spirit; but he must receive the Spirit to enrich it, for whatsoever is wrought in the creature is by the Spirit. Whatsoever Christ did as man, he did by the Spirit. Christ's human nature, therefore, must be sanctified, and have the Spirit put upon it. God the Father, the first person in Trinity, and God the Son, the second, they work not immediately, but by the Holy Ghost, the third person. Therefore, whatsoever is wrought upon the creature, it comes from the Holy Ghost immediately. So Christ received the Holy Ghost as sent from the Father and the Son. Now as the Holy Spirit is from the Father and the Son, so he works from the Father and the Son. He sanctifies and purifieth, and does all from the Father and the Son, and knits us to the Father and the Son; to the Son first, and then to the Father. Therefore it is said, 'The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Ghost,' 2 Cor. 13:14; because all the communion we have with God is by the Holy Ghost. All the communion that Christ as man had with God was by the Holy Ghost; and all the communion that God has with us, and we with God, is by the Holy Ghost: for the Spirit is the bond of union between Christ and us, and between God and us. God communicates himself to us by his Spirit, and we communicate with God by his Spirit. God does all in us by his Spirit, and we do all back again to God by the Spirit. Because Christ, as a head, as the second Adam, was to be the root of all that are saved, as the first Adam was the root of all that are damned, he was therefore to receive the Spirit, and to have it put upon him in a more excellent and rich manner: for we must know that all things are first in Christ, and then in us.
God chose him first, and then he chose us. God singled him out to be the Saviour, the second Adam, and he calls us in Christ.
God justified Christ from our sins, being our surety, taking our sins upon him. We are justified, because he by his resurrection quit himself from the guilt of our sins, as having paid the debt.
Christ is the first fruits of them that rise again, I Cor. 15:20. We rise again because he is risen. Christ first ascended; we ascend in Christ. Christ is first loved; we are loved in the Beloved. Christ is first blessed; we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in Jesus Christ, Eph. 1:8. So, whatsoever is in us, we have it at the second hand. We have the Spirit in us, but he is first in Christ; God has put the Spirit in Christ, as the spring, as the second Adam, as a public person, that should receive the Spirit for us all. He is first in all things; Christ must have the pre-eminence. He has the pre-eminence in all, both before time, in time, and after time, in election, in whatsoever is done here in this world, and in glorification. All is first in Christ, and then in us. He is the elder brother.
We must understand this, to give Christ his due honour and respect, and to know whence we have all we have. Therefore the Spirit is said here, first, to be 'put upon Christ.' We have not the Holy Ghost immediately from God, but we have him as sanctifying Christ first, and then us; and whatsoever the Holy Ghost does in us, he does the same in Christ first, and he does it in us because in Christ. Therefore, in John 16:14,15, Christ says, He shall take of mine. Whatsoever the Holy Ghost works in us, he takes of Christ first. How is that?
Thus: the Holy Ghost comforts us with reasons from Christ. He died, and has reconciled us to God; therefore, now God is at peace with thee. Here the Holy Ghost takes a ground of comfort from the death of Christ. When the Holy Ghost would raise a man up to holiness of life, he tells him, Christ thy Saviour and head is quickened, and is now in heaven, therefore we ought to rise to holiness of life. If the Holy Ghost be to work either comfort or grace, or anything, he not only does the same thing that he did first in Christ, but he does it in us by reasons from Christ, by grounds fetched from Christ. The Holy Ghost tells our souls that God loves Christ first, and he loves us in Christ, and that we are those that God gave Christ for, that we are those that Christ makes intercession for in heaven. The Holy Ghost witnesses to us the love of the Father and the Son, and so he fetches from Christ whatsoever he works.
And hence the work of the Holy Ghost is distinguished from illusions and delusions, that are nothing but frantic conceits of comfort that are groundless. The Holy Ghost fetches all from Christ in his working and comfort, and he makes Christ the pattern of all; for whatsoever is in Christ, the Holy Ghost, which is the Spirit of Christ, works in us as it is in Christ. Therefore, in John 1:13, it is said, 'of his fulness we receive grace for grace'—that is, grace answerable to his grace. There are three things that we receive answerable to Christ by the Spirit.
We receive grace—that is, the favour of God answerable to the favour God shows his Son. He loves his Son, he is graciously disposed to him, and he loves us.
So grace habitual. We have grace in us answerable to the grace in Christ. We have love answerable to his love, patience answerable to his patience, obedience and humility answerable to that in Christ. The Spirit works a conformity to Christ in all things.
Likewise, in the third place, the Spirit assures us of the same privileges that issue from grace. Christ is a Son; the Spirit tells us we are sons. Christ is an heir; the Spirit tells us we are heirs with Christ. Christ is the king of heaven and earth; the Spirit tells us that we are kings, that his riches are ours. Thus we have 'grace for grace,' both favour and grace in us, and privileges issuing from grace, we have all as they are in Christ. Even as in the first Adam we receive of his emptiness, curse for curse, ill for ill; for his blindness and rebellion we are answerable; we are born as he was after his fall: so in the second Adam, by his Spirit, we receive grace for grace.
Hence issues this, that our state now in Christ is far more excellent than our state in Adam was.
How does it spring hence?
Thus, Christ is God-man. His nature was sanctified by the Spirit; he was a more excellent person, he gives and sends the Spirit. Adam was only a mere man, and therefore his goodness could not be so derived to his posterity; for, however the Holy Ghost was in Adam, yet the Holy Ghost did not so fill him, he was not so in him as in Christ. The Holy Ghost is in Christ in a more excellent manner; for Christ being equal with God, he gave the Holy Ghost; the Holy Ghost comes from Christ as God. Now the second Adam being a more excellent person, we being in Christ the second Adam, we are in a more excellent, and in a more safe estate; we have a better keeper of our happiness than Adam. He being a mere man, he could not keep his own happiness, but lost himself and all his posterity. Though he were created after the image of God, yet being but a were man, he showed himself to be a man—that is, a changeable creature; but Christ being God and man, having his nature sanctified by the Spirit, now our happiness is in a better keeping, for our grace has a better spring. The grace and sanctification we have, it is not in our own keeping, it distils into us answerable to our necessities; but the spring is inexhaustable, it never fails, the spring is in Christ. So the favour that God bears us, it is not first in us, but it is first in Christ; God loves him, and then he loves us; he gives him the Spirit, and us in him. Now, Christ is the keeper both of the love of God towards us and the grace of God; and whatsoever is good he keeps all for us, he receives all for himself and for us; he receives not only the Spirit for himself, but he receives it as Mediator, as head: for 'we all of his fulness receive grace for grace.' He receives it as a fountain to diffuse it, I say. This shows us our happy and blessed condition in Jesus Christ, that now the grace and love of God and our happiness, and the grace whereby we are sanctified and fitted for it, it is not in our own keeping originally, but in our head Christ Jesus.
These be comfortable considerations, and, indeed, the life and soul of a Christian's life and comfort. If we conceive them aright, they will quicken us to obedience, and we shall know what the gospel is. To come to make some use of it.
I might observe this, that none should take that office upon them to which they are not called of God, nor qualified by his Spirit, especially ministers, because Christ did not set upon his office, till the Spirit was put upon him. The Spirit must enable us and fit us for everything. But I leave that, and come to that which concerns us all.
First, then, has God put the Spirit upon Christ, as the evangelist says in John 3:34, 'He whom God has sent'that is Christ— he speaks the word of God: for God gives him not the Spirit by measure.' God does not stand measuring grace out to Christ, but he pours it out upon him, full measure, running over, because he receives it not for himself alone, but for us. We receive the Spirit by measure, Eph. 4:7, 'according to the measure of the gift of Christ.' Christ gives us all a measure of sanctifying knowledge and of every grace, till we 'grow to be a perfect man in Christ,' Eph. 4:13. Therefore it is called the 'first fruits of the Spirit,' Rom. 8:23, as much as shall fit us for heaven, and grace sufficient, though it be not that measure we shall have hereafter, or that we would have here. Christ had a full measure, the fulness of a fountain, diffusive, not only abundance for himself, but redundance, and overflowing for the good of others; he being the head of the church, not only a head of eminence, but of influence to bestow and convey all grace in him to all his members, proportionable to the service of every member. Therefore he received not the Spirit according to measure—that is, sparingly—but it was showered upon him; he was filled and clothed with the Holy Ghost.
Is it so? Let us labour, then, to see where to have supply in all our wants. We have a full treasury to go to. All treasure is hid in Christ for us. What a comfort is this in anything we lack! If we lack the favour of God, go to his beloved Christ, desire God to love us in his beloved, and to accept us in his gracious Son, in him whom he has made his servant, and anointed with his Spirit for that purpose.
If we lack particular graces, go to the well-head Christ, consider of Christ now filled for us, as it was in Aaron. The oil that was poured on Aaron's head ran down to his beard, and to the skirts of his clothing, Psa. 133:2, the meanest parts of his garment were bedewed with that oil: so the graces of God's Spirit poured upon our head Christ, our Aaron, our High Priest, run down upon us, upon all ranks of Christians, even upon the skirts, the weakest and lowest Christians. Every one has grace for grace; we all partake of the oil and anointing of our spiritual Aaron, our High Priest. If we lack anything, therefore, let us go to him. I can do all, says St Paul, in Christ that strengthens me, Philip. 4:13. Go to him for patience, for comfort, for everything, because God has put his Spirit upon him, to supply all our deficiencies; he has the oil of gladness above his fellows, Psa. 45:7; but for his fellows he has the oil of grace more than any, but it is not only for him, but for us all. Therefore, let us have comfortable meditations of the fulness of Christ, and make use of it, all this is for me. In Col. 2:9, St Paul sets it out, 'in him the fulness of the Godhead dwells personally;' for that is meant by somatikwV, and it follows after, 'in him we are complete.' Wherefore is all the fulness that is in him? to show that in him we are complete. So, in I John 5:20, 21, to show how the spirits of the apostles agree, 'we know that the Son of God is come in the flesh, and has given us an understanding to know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is true God and eternal life.' Christ is true God and eternal life for us all; for our comfort, 'we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, &c. Little children, keep yourselves from idols.' How does this depend upon the other? Thus;
Will you go to idols, stocks and stones, devices of men's brain, for supply of grace and comfort? Christ, whom God has sent, he is come into the world; he is God and eternal life. 'God has given eternal life, and this life is in his Son,' I John 5:11; therefore why should you go to idols?
What is the ground of popish idolatries and abominations? They conceive not aright of the fulness of Christ, wherefore he was ordained, and sent of God; for if they did, they would not go to idols and saints, and leave Christ. Therefore let us make this use of it, go out of Christ for nothing. If we want favour, go not to saints, if we want instruction, go; not to traditions of men. He is a prophet wise enough, and a priest full enough to make us accepted of God. If we lack any grace, he is a king able enough, rich enough, and strong enough to subdue all our rebellions in us, and he will in time by his Spirit overcome all, 'Stronger is he that is in us than he that is in the world,' I John 4:4. The spirit in the world, the devil and devilish-minded men, they are not so strong as the Spirit of Christ; for by little and little the Spirit of Christ will subdue all. Christ is a king, go not out of him therefore for anything. 'Babes, keep yourselves from idols,' I John 5:21. You may well enough, you know whom to go to.
Therefore let us shame ourselves. Is there such a store-house of comfort and grace every way in Christ? Why are we so weak and comfortless? Why are we so dejected as if we had not such a rich husband? All out husband's riches are ours for our good, we receive of it in our measure, why do we not go to the fountain and make use of it? Why, in the midst of abundance, are we poor and beggarly? Here we may see the misery of the world. Christ is a prophet to teach us the way to heaven, but how few be there that will be directed by him 'Christ is a king to subdue all our spiritual and worst enemies, to subdue those enemies that kings tremble at, to subdue death, to subdue the fear of judgment and the wrath of God, and yet how few will come under his government! 'Christ is the light of the world,' John 9:5, yet how few follow him! Christ is the way, yet how few tread in his steps! Christ is our wisdom and our riches, yet how few go to him to fetch any riches, but content themselves with the transitory things of this life! Men live as if Christ were nothing, or did nothing concern them, as if he were a person abstracted from them, as if he were not a head or husband, as if he had received the Spirit only for himself and not for them, whereas all that is in Christ is for us. I beseech you therefore let us learn to know Christ better, and to make use of him.
Again, if Christ has 'the Spirit put upon him for us all,' then in our daily slips and errors make this use, to offer Christ to God with this argument. Take an argument from God himself to bind him. God will be bound with his own arguments. We cannot bind him with ours, but let us go to him and say, Lord, though I be thus and thus sinful, yet for Christ Jesus' sake thy servant, whom thou lovest and hast put thy Spirit upon him to be a priest, and to make intercession for me, for his sake pardon, for his sake accept. Make use of God's consecration of Christ by the Spirit to God himself, and bind him with his own mediator, and with his own priest of his own ordaining. Thou canst not, Lord, refuse a Saviour and mediator of thine own, sanctified by thine own Spirit, whom thou hast set apart, and ordained and qualified every way for this purpose. Let us go to God in the name of this mediator Jesus Christ every day, and this is to make a good use of this, that God has 'put his Spirit upon him.'
But to make a use of trial, how shall we know that this comfort belongs to us, that Christ has the Spirit put upon him for us or no, whether he be ordained a king, priest, and prophet for us? That which I said before will give light to this. We must partake of the same Spirit that Christ has, or else we are none of his members. As we partake of his name, so we must also of his anointing. Thereupon we are called Christians, because we partake of the anointing and Spirit of Christ, and if we have the Spirit of Christ, it will work the same in us as it did in Christ, it will convince us of our own ill, of our rebellions, and cursed estate, and it will convince us likewise of the good we have in him. And then, he is a Spirit of union, to knit us to Christ, and make us one with him, and thereupon to quicken us, to lead us, and guide us, and to dwell in us continually, to stir up prayers and supplications in us, to make us cry familiarly to God as to a Father, to comfort and support us in all our wants and miseries, as he did Christ, 'to help our infirmities,' as the apostle at large, in Rom. 8:20, sets down the excellent office of the Holy Ghost, what he does in those that are Christ's. Let us therefore examine ourselves, what the Spirit does in us, if Christ be set apart to redeem us as a priest. Surely all his offices go together. He does by the same Spirit rule us, Rev. 1:5, 'He has washed us in his blood, and made us kings and priests.' Whosoever he washes in his blood he makes him a king and a priest, he makes him by the power of his Spirit able to rule over his base corruptions. We may know then, whether we have benefit by Christ by his Spirit, not only by the Spirit witnessing that we are the sons of God, but by some arguments whereby the Spirit may witness without delusion. For though the Spirit of Christ tells us that we are Christ's, yet the proof must be from guiding and leading, and comforting and conforming us to Jesus Christ, in making us kings and prophets, enlightening our understandings to know his will, and conforming us to be like him. The Spirit of Christ is a Spirit of power and strength. It will enable us to perform duties above nature, to overcome ourselves and injuries, it will make us to lack and to abound, it will make us able to live and to die, as it enabled Christ to do things that another man could not do. So a Christian can do that, and suffer that that another man cannot do and suffer, because he has the Spirit of Christ.
At the least, whosoever has the Spirit of Christ, he shall find that Spirit in him striving against that which is contrary, and by little and little getting ground. Where there is no conflict, there is no Spirit of Christ at all. I will not be large in the point, only I speak this by way of trial, to know whether we have the Spirit of Christ in us or no. If not, we have nothing to do with Christ; for Christ saves us not as he is out of us only. Christ was to do something of himself that we have no share in, only the good of it is ours. He was to redeem us by his blood, to be a sacrifice. The title to heaven and salvation was wrought by Christ out of us. But there is somewhat that he does not only for us, but he works in us by his Spirit, that is, the fitting of us for that he has given us title to, and the applying Of that that he has done for us. Whosoever therefore has any benefit by Christ, he has the Spirit to apply that to himself and to fit and qualify him to be a member of such a head, and an heir of such a kingdom. Whosoever Christ works anything for, he does also work in them. There is a Spirit of application, and that Spirit of application, if it be true, it is a Spirit of sanctification and renovation fitting us every way for our, condition.
Let us not abuse ourselves, as the world commonly does, concerning Christ. They think God is merciful, and Christ is a Saviour. It is true, but what has he wrought in thee by his Spirit? Hast thou the Spirit of Christ? Or 'else thou art none of his,' Rom. 8:9. Wherever Christ is, he goes with his Spirit to teach us to apply what Christ has done for us, and to fit us to be like him. Therefore, let those that live in any sins against conscience, think it a diabolical illusion to think God and Christ is merciful. Aye, but where is the work of the Spirit? All the hope thou hast is only that thou art not in hell as yet, [only] for the time to come; but for the present I dare not say thou hast anything to do with Christ, when there is nothing of the Spirit in thee. The Spirit of Christ conforms the spouse to be like the husband, and the members to be like the head. Therefore, beg of Christ that he would anoint himself king in our hearts, and prophet and priest in our hearts, to do that that he did, to know his will as a prophet, to rule in us as a king, and to stir up prayers in us as a priest, to do in some proportion that that he does, though it be in never so little a measure, for we receive it in measure, but Christ beyond measure. We must labour for so much as may manifest to us the truth of our estate in Christ, that we are not dead but living branches.
But how or by what means does Christ give his Spirit to us? This Spirit that is so necessary for us, it is given by the ministry of the gospel, which is the ministry of the Spirit. 'Received ye the Holy Ghost by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith preached?' Gal. 3:2. When the love of God in Christ, and the benefits by Christ, are laid open in the preaching of the gospel to us, God gives his holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ. Now God in Christ would save us by a triumphant and abundant love and mercy, and the Spirit of God never goes but where there is a magnifying of the love and mercy of God in Christ; therefore the ministry of the gospel, which only discovers the amity and love of God to mankind, being now reconciled in Christ, it is accompanied with the Spirit, to assure us of our part and portion in those benefits, for the Spirit is the fruit of God's love as well as Christ. Christ is the first gift, and the Spirit is the second, therefore that part of the word that reveals God's exceeding love to mankind, leaving angels when they were fallen, in their cursed estate, and yet giving his Son to become man, and 'a curse for us:' the revealing of this love and mercy of God, and of his Son Christ to us, is joined with the Spirit. For by the Spirit we see our cursed estate without the love and mercy of God in Christ, and likewise we are convinced of the love of God in Christ, and thereupon we love God in return, and trust to his mercy, and out of love to him perform all cheerful obedience. Whatsoever we do else, if it be not stirred by the Spirit, apprehending the love of God in Christ, it is but morality. A man shall never go to heaven except by such a disposition and frame and temper of soul as is wrought by the Holy Ghost, persuading the soul first of the love and favour of God in Christ. What are all our performances if they be not out of love to God? And how shall we love God except we be persuaded that he loves us first? Therefore the gospel breeds love in us to God, and has the Spirit together with it, working a blessed frame of sanctification, whereby we are disposed to every good duty. Therefore if we would have the Spirit of God, let us attend upon the sweet promises of salvation, upon the doctrine of Christ; for together with the knowledge of these things, the Holy Ghost slides and insinuates and infuses himself into our souls.
Therefore the ministers of the gospel should be much in laying open the riches of God in Christ. In unfolding Christ, all other things will follow, as St Paul in Titus 2:11,12) 'The grace of God has shined, has appeared gloriously, teaching us to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live holily and soberly in this present world.' Where the grace and love of God is persuaded and shed into the soul, all will follow.
What is the reason that former times were called dark times (and so they were), the times of popery a dark age? Christ was veiled, the gospel was veiled, there was no preaching of salvation by Christ alone, people were sent to stocks and stones, and to saints, and instead of the word, they were sent to legends and such things. Christ was obscured, thereupon they were dark ages. Those ages wherein the Spirit of God is most, is where Christ is most preached, and people are best always where there is most Spirit; and they are most joyful and comfortable and holy, where Christ is truly laid open to the hearts of people. The preaching of mere morality, if men be not careful to open Christ, to know how salvation is wrought by Christ, and how all good comes by Christ, it will never make a man perfectly good and fit him for heaven. It may make a man reform many abuses, like a philosopher, which has its reward and respect amongst men, but nothing to give comfort at the hour of death and the day of judgment. Only that whereby the Spirit is conveyed, is the knowledge and preaching of Christ in his state and offices.
And he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.—After Christ was fully prepared, as he was prepared with the Spirit of God, and with a commission from heaven, from Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, having this high commission, and gifts for it by the Spirit, he falls upon his office presently. We are never fit for anything till we have the Spirit, and when we have the Spirit it is active and vigorous and working. 'He shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.'
He shall not strive nor cry, neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.—These words set down the mild and sweet and amiable manner of Christ's carriage upon earth. Here, in his first coming to work the great work of our redemption, he did not carry the matter in an outward glorious manner, in pomp; but he would have his miracles concealed ofttimes and himself hidden. His Godhead was hid under the veil of his manhood. He could not have wrought our salvation otherwise. If the devil and the world had known Christ to be as he was, they would never have made those attempts against him. Therefore, considering he had such a dispensation to work our salvation as a king, priest, and prophet, he would not cry and contend and strive, he would not come with any great noise.
Now, here is an opposition to the giving of the law, and likewise to the coming and carriage of civil princes. You know when the law was given all the mount was on fire, and the earth thereabout quaked and trembled, and the people fled. They could not endure to hear the voice of God speaking in the mount; there was such a terrible smoke and fire, they were all afraid. Thus came Moses. Now, did Christ come as Moses? Was the gospel delivered by Christ as the law was, in terrors and fears? Oh, no. Christ came not in such a terrible manner, in thunder and lightning; but the gospel, it came sweetly. A dove, a mild creature, lit upon the head of Christ when he was baptized, to show his mild manner of carriage; and he came with blessing in his mouth in his first sermon of all: Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are they that mourn, blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness,' Matt. 5:8,4,6. The law came with curses: 'Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things written in the law to do them ' Gal. 3:10. Christ came in another manner; the gospel was delivered in a mild, sweet manner. Christ, as an ambassador, came sweetly to entreat and beseech. There is a crying, indeed, but it is a crying out of love and entreaty, not a shouting in a terrible manner as was at the giving of the law, no, nor as at the coming of other civil princes into a city, with shouting and noise of trumpets, with pomp, and state, and great attendants. Christ came not into the world to execute his kingdom and office in such pomp and noise as it is said of Agrippa, Acts 25:23, 'He came with great pomp.' So worldly princes carry things thus, and it is needful in some sort. People must have shows and pomp; the outward man must have outward things to astonish it withal. It is a policy in state so to do. But Christ came in another manner. He came not to make men quake and tremble that came to speak and deal with him. He came not with clamour and fierceness; for who would have come to Christ then? But he came in a mild, and sweet, and amiable manner. We see a little before the text (ver. 16), upon occasion of the inference of these words, he commands and charges them that they should not reveal him and make him known. When he had done a good work he would not have it known.
Now, there are three things especially insinuated in this description,
He shall not strive nor cry, neither shall any man hear his voice in the street.' That Christ should not be outwardly glorious to publish his own excellency, nor contentious; he should not cry nor quarrel, nor he should not be clamorous, if he had any wrong, to be all on fire presently, but he should be as a meek lamb, he should make no noise, he should not come in vainglory or clamour, &c.
But here we must know that Christ was a wise discerner of the fitness of times; for sometimes he would have things published, sometimes he would not; sometimes he would be known, sometimes he would not. Christ, in his second coming, shall come all in majesty and glory with his angels, and all the earth shall appear before him; but now his wisdom told him, now he came to save the world as a prophet, priest, and king, to work man's salvation, that he must hide and conceal himself; and so he ordered all his courses by discretion. Every sacrifice must be salted with salt, everything should be seasoned with the salt of discretion. This is the steward of all our actions, to know what is fit. Christ knew it was fittest to conceal himself now at this time.
Now, by Christ's example we should learn this, not to be vainglorious, not to make a great noise. You have some, if they do anything that is good, presently all the world must know it. This was not Christ's disposition. It is a disposition that is hardly wrought out of man's heart without an exceeding great measure of the Spirit of God; for we see good men have been given this way. David would number the people, that it might be known what a great monarch he was, what a great number of people he had, 2 Sam. 24. He was a good man, yet vainglorious. He smarted for it. So good Hezekiah. Ambassadors were sent to him from the king of Babylon, and that they should know that Hezekiah was no beggarly prince, out must come the vessels of the temple and all his treasures, to show what a rich king the king of Judah was, 2 Kings 20:13, et seq. His vainglory cost him all his riches, as the prophet told him. So the disciples. Before they received a great measure of the Spirit, how vainglorious were they! They contended for the higher place; therefore they advise Christ to go up to Jerusalem, that he might be known. As Jehu said to Jonadab, 'Come up and see my zeal for the Lord of hosts,' 2 Kings 10:16, he accounts it nothing unless it be seen. So flesh and blood. If there be anything done that is good, all the world must know it presently. Christ charged them that no noise should be made, but that they should conceal him.
What should we learn hence?
To be of Christ's disposition, that is, to have no more care of the knowledge of things than the light of the things themselves will discover, to do works of light, and if the things themselves will break forth to men's eyes and they must see our light shine, then let them, and imitate our good works; but for us to blazon them abroad ourselves, it is not the spirit of Christ.
Let us labour to have humility of spirit, that that may grow up with us in all our performances, that all things that we speak and do may savour of a spirit of humility, that we may seek the glory of God in all things more than our own.
And let us commit the fame and credit of what we are or do to God. He will take care of that. Let us take care to be and to do as we should, and then for noise and report, let it be good or ill as God will send it. We know ofttimes it falls out that that which is precious in man's eye is abominable in God's. If we seek to be in the mouths of men, to dwell in the talk and speech of men, God will abhor us, and at the hour of death it will not comfort us what men speak or know of us, but sound comfort must be from our own conscience and the judgment of God. Therefore, let us labour to be good in secret. Christians should be as minerals, rich in the depth of the earth. That which is least seen is his riches. We should have our treasure deep. For the disclosure of it we should be ready when we are called to it, and for all other accidental things, let them fall out as God in his wisdom sees good. So let us look through good report and bad report to heaven; let us do the duties that are pleasing to God and our own conscience, and God will be careful enough to get us applause. Was it not sufficient for Abel, that though there was no great notice taken what faith he had, and how good a man he was, yet that God knew it and revealed it? God sees our sincerity and the truth of our hearts, and the graces of our inward man, he sees all these, and he values us by these, as he did Abel. As for outward things there may be a great deal of deceit in them, and the more a man grows in grace, the less he cares for them. As much reputation as is fit for a man will follow him in being and doing what he should. God will look to that. Therefore we should not set up sails to our own meditations, that unless we be carried with the wind of applause, to be becalmed and not go a whit forward; but we should be carried with the Spirit of God and with a holy desire to serve God, and our brethren, and to do all the good we can, and never care for the speeches of the world, as St Paul says of himself: 'I care not what ye judge of me, I care not what the world judgeth, I care not for man's judgment,' I Cor. 4:3. This is man's day. We should, from the example of Christ, labour to subdue this infirmity which we are sick of naturally. Christ concealed himself till he saw a fitter time. We shall have glory enough, and be known enough to devils, to angels, and men ere long. Therefore, as Christ lived a hidden life, that is, he was not known what he was, that so he might work our salvation, so let us be content to be hidden men. A true Christian is hidden to the world till the time of manifestation comes. When the time came, Christ then gloriously revealed what he was; so it shall be revealed what we are. In the mean time, let us be careful to do our duty that may please the Spirit of God, and satisfy our own conscience, and leave all the rest to God. Let us meditate, in the fear of God, upon these directions for the guidance of our lives in this particular.
For more on this subject follow the links below: | <urn:uuid:5f99d7a8-061d-48c1-b811-0213f9e49923> | {
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These are my skewness notes for S1 which explain the coefficient of skewness at the bottom.
In a symmetrical distribution mean = median = mode and Q2 – Q1 = Q3 – Q2. A positive skew distribution has a tail to the positive side, mean > median > mode and Q2 – Q1 < Q3 – Q2. A negative skew distribution has a tail to the negative side, mean < median < mode and Q2 – Q1 > Q3 – Q2. Skewness can be given quantity as well as direction by using (3 (mean-median))/(standard deviation) . To compare the relative dispersion between data sets the coefficient of variation is used, it is given by V= 100σ/μ= 100s/x ̅ and as a percentage. When data is skewed the median and the interquartile range are used as measures of location and dispersion as they are not affected by extreme values. The dispersion of a set of data is therefore measured by the quartile coefficient of variation which is given by QV= (50 (Q_3- Q_1))/Q_2 .
x ̅ is mean of x and Q_3 is the upper quartile mark, if the notation wasnt that clear
Last edited by abbii; 18-04-2010 at 21:29.
Last edited by .ACS.; 18-04-2010 at 21:35.
Reason: Decided to add Latex | <urn:uuid:e014a1d1-c260-4e09-aabf-34590ed2fb84> | {
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Troy: Myth and Reality
The entry on Troy describes one of the most fascinating episodes in the unclearly defined border line between legend and reality. For many years Homer’s Iliad was seen as a nice story of Greek gods and heros, but nothing that bore any resemblance with reality. In the 19th century achaeologists started trying to find out if there was really any discernible background to the legend. Especially Heinrich Schliemann was one of the best known characters to work on this topic, although Frank Calvert was the first one to research the legend’s location and excavated small parts of level VI of ancient Troy, thus starting to prove that there was a real background.
The photos show a lot of information that the researchers saw on their way in proving the real existence of Troy.
The user gets information on the legend and the archaeology of Troy, a virtual walk into Troy, a Teacher’s section with a lot of links and activies, an interactive Quiz and information about the team.
The entry can be used in English as well as in German.
2001 Achievement Award
JulieGALESBURG HIGH SCHOOL, Galesburg, IL, United States
TorstenMariengymnasium Jever, Friedeburg, Germany
DanielMariengymnasium Jever, Jever, Germany
19 & under
Martin MaeckenMariengymnasium, Jever, Germany
History & Government > Ancient Civilizations & Archaeology > Ancient Greece
Books & Literature | <urn:uuid:85d83a51-a452-4b7b-916d-ebc0aa584d33> | {
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Virtual doctors and virtual scalpels have begun to save people's lives. New technology has arrived and it is VIRTUAL SURGERY. Many college universities have begun to allow their students to practice surgery through virtual technology. If you have played any of the flight simulator computer games then you probably know a little bit about virtual simulation games. Just like the flight simulator games teach people like you and I what it is like to fly a plane the virtual surgery simulators teach people what it is like to perform surgery. Of course it is not exactly what it would be in a hospital. The virtual surgery simulator is a good training tool for universities to use for their students.
2007 Best Site from a New Program
19 & under
Science & Technology > Technology | <urn:uuid:73d6ea0a-54fe-430c-a1f8-332502cfe7c1> | {
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Twenty-five days. That's how long it took Dr. Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University to undo more than 30 years of exquisitely programmed biology packed into a woman's cheek cell and just maybe change the world. In a procedure that some scientists thought could take decades to discover, Yamanaka tricked the cheek cell into acting like an embryonic stem cell capable of dividing, developing and maturing into any of the body's more than 200 different cell types. And he wasn't alone: on the same day that he published his milestone in the journal Cell, James Thomson, a pioneering University of Wisconsin molecular biologist, reported similar success in Science.
Their papers cap a year of remarkable research, in which scientists have surged ahead of ethicists and politicians in finding ever more clever ways to generate stem cells. But where other breakthroughs relied on using cells from living embryos tiny bits of inchoate life, fraught with ethical issues the work by Yamanaka and Thomson sidesteps that abyss by nursing adult cells into a state in which their cellular destiny is yet to be fulfilled. No embryos, no eggs, no hand-wringing over where the cells come from and whether it is ethical to make them in the first place.
Stem cells generated by this method are ideal not just because they are free of political and moral baggage. They can also be coaxed into becoming any type of tissue, and then be transplanted back into the donor with little risk of rejection. Still, these cells are far from ready for medical use. The viruses used to ferry the genes that manipulate the cells can introduce genetic mutations and cancer. And with myriad ways to reprogram a cell, sorting out the best ones will take time meaning that stem cells from embryos will remain useful (and controversial) for a while. Both Yamanaka and Thomson admit that we still know too little about how the process works to exploit the method's full potential. Nevertheless, their discovery has moved stem-cell research back to an embryonic state of its own in which anything, it seems, is possible. | <urn:uuid:0d1a1010-2e23-4fbf-bc78-2e57f0c5e5da> | {
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The drought in Texas, during March, was the worst since 1895.
That is about the time my parents were born 120 years ago.
I never thought it could be worse than the drought of the 1950s, but it is. Drive out into grazing country where mesquite aren't too thick and all you can see is dry, cracked soil with an occasional fire ant or a gopher mound in the sandier soil.
Comparing the current drought with the seven-year drought in the 1950s, old-timers say the current drought sapped the soil of moisture faster than it did in the 1950s.
It just stopped raining last July, and pasture after pasture was hit by wildfires.
Right now, there is no potential to produce hay, harvest wheat or plant cotton or grain sorghum this May. Unless there is a week of rain fairly soon there is no hope for agriculture this year.
The Texas Ag Extension Service says that, despite a few recent showers in some areas, the cotton growing in Texas and Oklahoma is still in a drought. Any crop planted in southern Texas earlier in the year that got up out of the ground is now being sand blasted by hot, dry winds.
Wildfires have burned at least 1.5 million acres in the state since Jan. 1.
In addition to grazing losses, ranchers are facing rangeland stock water tanks that are dry or nearly dry. Streams are not flowing and lakes and big tanks are turning to deep mud. | <urn:uuid:2ea6b2e4-22cb-4c80-8462-ec4f7a51e6d6> | {
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A mighty wall surrounds the medina, the old part of the Tunisian city of Sousse, whose fortifications date back to the 9th century. They were built by the Aghlabid Dynasty, who were strongly influenced by Islam.
There is a remarkable gate at the northern edge of the medina. It is the entrance to the ribat, an impressive fortress that was built by the Aghlabids in the 10th century. This military building was very similar to a monastery in which Islamic interests dominated the actions of the Rabat's 'Warrior Monks'.
The history of Sousse has been influenced by many different countries and cultures. Carthagian, Roman and even Byzantine influences can be found in the city. Its convenient location, coastline and fertile countryside created a prosperous trading and commercial centre, making Sousse the main metropolis of the Sahel.
Stretching out onto the highest point of the medina is the impressive fortress, the kasbah, that was built on the foundations of a Byzantine castle and today, contains an important museum.
Thanks to its special location, Sousse has always fascinated visitors with its rich variety of atmospheric, historical impressions. Thankfully, and despite its warlike past, the medina of Sousse has been able to preserve most of its original character.
Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments. | <urn:uuid:e55acb28-7394-463d-87da-ee186b79f118> | {
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September 18, 2007 > History
Pioneer School People
The original Act to create the County of Alameda called for an election of officers that did not mention a County Superintendent of Schools, but at the first election held in May 1853, Rev. William W. Brier was elected to that office. County officials divided the county into six townships that included Washington and made each township a school district.
Rev. Brier visited communities throughout the county helping residents start schools, acquire buildings and promote the cause of a regular school attendance. He worked with county officials to secure money for school buildings and teachers' salaries. Historian William Halley reported in 1856, when the county was three years old, that "Education was making headway under the efficient management of Mr. Brier."
A board of trustees was required to operate each district in spite of obstacles that included unstable finances, teacher shortages, widespread ignorance and parental complaints. They were empowered to maintain a classroom, hire a teacher, purchase supplies, keep records of meetings and file reports with the county. Trustees sometimes ran unopposed for reelection and voter turnout depended on how pleased the parents were with the teachers' perceived performance.
Information about these pioneer school trustees is sketchy. The first trustees at Irvington were William Y. Horner, George M. Walters and William Hopkins. All were nearby prominent landowners.
Our most complete early day records appear to be those for Lincoln School District because trustee records have been preserved. The first trustees were Emory Munyan, Abijah Baker, and George W. Tait. Munyan served as clerk of the board and recorded the minutes by hand. He was a faithful trustee until his death in 1899 for a total of 29 years. Munyan treated the students and teachers as family, even delivering fruit in season from his nearby orchard to the students. Abijah Baker owned a large farm near the school and "gave generously to good causes." George W. Tait, who had been Superintendent of Schools in San Francisco, came to Washington Township for his health and was credited with naming Lincoln School.
The most important person in any school was (and still is) the teacher. At first there were no special credentials for teachers. Erastus Johnson reported that he came to Centerville to visit and ended up opening a school there in 1853. Other pioneer teachers at Centerville included Mrs. Jonathan Mayhew, Judge Stephen Nye, Julia Rappleye and W. H. Yates.
The first public school teacher at Alvarado was Mrs. Warren. As in many pioneer communities, she "boarded around" among the families. Rev. W. W. Brier taught here and later served as a trustee. Several teachers at Lincoln School including Mollie Reeder, Emma Reeder, Louise Cearley, Flora Brown, Cora Simpson and Addie Ross grew up in Washington Township. Irvington teachers included many local residents and J. C. Gilson and W.F.B. Lynch who later became Alameda County Superintendent of Schools.
The average monthly salary for pioneer teachers in Alameda County was about $75 per month, but sometimes, as at Lincoln School, it was $50 plus board. By 1904 the average for men was about $99 and $72 for women. The Alviso principal was paid $110 per month and the other teachers $90 in 1919. A Niles teacher was paid $115 in 1929 with $5 raises until the depression forced the monthly total back to $115.
Many pioneer teachers were men who went on to other occupations. The county had 13 male and 14 female teachers in 1859, but by 1878 there were three times as many women as men. Teachers were challenged to provide lessons for pupils with varying age and achievement levels. A primary teacher at Centerville summarized the problem when she wrote, "I cannot give to the separate classes as much time as I would like." Teachers in pioneer schools had no time to themselves as they had to supervise students during lunch and recess breaks. They ate with the children and often played with them at recess. There were times when text books and materials were not available, and teachers were forced to improvise and make do with what they had.
Local history books don't give much information about janitors, but all schools became dirty and needed attention. At first the teachers were the janitors, with occasional assistance from students. Alviso trustees allocated $1 for washing windows in 1890 but later paid $20 per month for a janitor. Sometimes custodians were also the gardeners. Guido Laneri was a favorite gardener at Niles School.
Teachers and parents sometimes provided warm meals for students. Centerville School began limited cafeteria service in 1925 and cafeteria workers became a regular part of the staff. Alviso School started cafeteria service in 1947 and also began bussing students to school. Bus drivers were often custodians or teachers who did double duty. | <urn:uuid:0d4f9e15-a918-40b9-b15d-2654c9672e86> | {
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Answer: Even better! A lot of ag research stations have investigated the application of chemicals through irrigation systems. Typically they find that fertigation provides the following advantages compared to ground application:
Question: What about chemicals other than fertilizers?
Answer: Most of the above advantages extend to pesticide injection. In addition, researchers report:
Question: How does all this fit together with some of the newer irrigation technologies?
Answer: Two technological advances offer us examples of the perfect fit between injectors and irrigation systems:
Low Energy Precision Application (LEPA) heads make pivots even more effective as application devices. LEPA heads are usually arranged to deliver water beneath the crop foliage canopy. Several LEPA head designs have multiple operating modes including the capability to convert between down-spray and up-spray. This feature further improves the flexibility of chemical application by center pivots.
Sub-surface drip irrigation is a technology that couldn't exist without injectors. All crop nutrients are delivered directly to the plant roots through the irrigation lines while the search continues for new systemic pesticides that are well-suited for root uptake. Chemicals must also be injected to keep irrigation lines free of slime that would plug the drip emitters.
This article is reprinted from ChemIndustrial Systems, Inc.; CSI INFO/UPDATE #8 Oct 21, 1994 | <urn:uuid:1db88bea-2ba3-4a68-8b1d-bc7810323ce7> | {
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“Redefining a word isn't always the same as giving it a new meaning. Sometimes you're just trying to pare it down to the core concept that people missed the first time around. Dictionary definitions of "camera" used to mention film and plates; now they just refer to a photosensitive surface. But the meaning of "camera" isn't different; it's just that now technology lets us see what its essence has been all along.”—Geoff Nunberg on how dictionaries are even grappling with getting ‘marriage’ right
“Equality,” “prejudice,” “race” itself — how can you have mid-nineteenth-century characters use words like those without anachronistically evoking the connotations they have for us? To many of Lincoln’s contemporaries and even his allies, “equality”still evoked alarming echoes of the French Revolution. To speak of “race equality” implied not just that people should all be treated alike, but that the races really were morally and intellectually equivalent. That was an extreme and dubious proposition to all but a few radical Republicans, like Thaddeus Stevens. ”—Geoff Nunberg on how connotations have changed since the 19th century and how those connotations are alluded to in Tony Kushner’s screen adaptation of Lincoln.
'Occupy': Geoff Nunberg's 2011 Word Of The YearGeoff Nunberg
‘Occupy’: Geoff Nunberg’s 2011 Word Of The Year (via NPR) | <urn:uuid:e506a5cd-1e16-4b58-9ecb-6e2a8516d7a4> | {
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We created this website to teach participant programmers, even those with a poor base, how to use HTML but not only. We invite you to start the programming course right away. But first, "the menu"...
Beginner`s guide - For those of you who are beginners in the way of creating a web page
HTML Tutorials - For those of you who start the creation of web pages with some HTML base
Start with the beginning >>>
This series of tutorials is made to give you some experience, so that you can be capable to read and write in HTML, to be able to save documents and after that to see your work in a web browser. Unfortunately this page does not have a rubric for teaching you how to use all base functions of an computer, so in this point of view you can ask for help to a friend of yours so that you will be helped in :
- Knowing what is an notepad and how to use it
- Knowing how to open a file using internet Explorer(or any other
browser, you can choose it )
- Knowing how yo make and what represents a copy/paste
First web page
For the beginning copy next HTML cod in notepad. Assure that the operation
is right executed or the page will not function.
<body> <h2>My first web page !</h2>
Thee upper code, is all you need to create a simple web page. Now
you can save the document in notepad selecting from File menu
the Save As option. In the new opened window, select All Files.
We will give a name to the file, for example "index.html", without
using the quotation marks. Check twice before you push the Save button.
I will ask you to try to remember where you have saved the file
because we will work with this file a bit later.
How to see your first web pages - Browsers
So that you can see your web page, you should use a browser. Browsers are those internet programs who interpret HTML cods, similar with those you have copied and saved in notepad. These transforms the HTML cod in a web page that can be read by any internet user. The most used browsers are:
How to see your first web page
If you want to see your web page, you have to open "index.html" file in a browser.In this way, open a new Internet Explorer window and follow my instructions:
- From File select Open
- Click on Browse so that you open Windows Explorer
- Do you remember where you have saved the file? Very well, there
you must go.
- When you found it do a double-click to open it
Congratulation ! YOu have just opened your first web page.
<< Back | Next >>
Codes Generators 2
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Tutorial html, html beginers, webhosting guide, domain name, table, html color codes, html tutorial, html tags, html | <urn:uuid:54438b63-52f0-4183-8488-3217b7792699> | {
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Home > Marketing
& Communication > News
says imagination is child’s play
Parents who invest a lot of time and thought into choosing
Christmas gifts for their child may find themselves frustrated
when the child plays with the box the present came in rather
than the gift itself.
Dr. Ron Fannin,
associate professor of family science and coordinator of the
child development program at Texas Woman University, advises
parents to relax — it’s all part of growing up.
are doing these things, such as pretending a box is a rocket
ship or a car, they’re projecting what they want to
have going on in their lives,” he said.
Many of today’s
toys don’t require much of the children playing with
them, Dr. Fannin said.
we’re caught by our own technology. The toys do everything
— we just watch,” he said. “As adults, we
buy toys all the time. Ours are just more expensive and less
involved. If a child has a toy, he wants to use it.”
enjoy both physical and imaginary involvement with their toys.
Dr. Fannin said a better question for parents considering
gifts is what will hold the child’s interest.
be chosen with an eye toward stimulating the child’s
imagination,” he said. “Because of this, sometimes
the toy with the fewer bells and whistles is more engaging.
The simple toy requires the child to involve himself or herself
more fully into the play experience. This is a very good thing.”
Tel: (940) 898-3456 | <urn:uuid:ff66375e-a5a6-4984-a43d-d96199c3817b> | {
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1785 - 10th May 1863
The son of a Greenock merchant, the tall and "somewhat ungainly" Anderson traded as a manufacturer before managing the Glasgow Union Banking Company. His main achievement was the absorption of private banks into the Union Bank of Scotland, starting with the Thistle Bank of Glasgow in 1836 and including the Paisley Union Bank (1838) and the Aberdeen Bank (1849). These mergers required delicate negotiations, for which Anderson, with his reputation for integrity and honour, was well suited.
He was often consulted on monetary matters by Sir Robert Peel, and in 1841 gave evidence to a Commons Select Committee. He was chairman of the Unchartered Banks of Scotland, 1844-45, and a member of Glasgow Town Council. He also served as a magistrate, as president of Anderson's University (founded by his uncle, Professor John Anderson), and as secretary to the Chamber of Commerce.
He died at Carlung, Ayrshire, on 10 May 1863.
"MUCH has been said and written about the Scottish Banks and their peculiar system, and inquiries have come from all parts of the world as to wherein lay the origin and secret of their strength. The answer to such inquiries is in the simple fact that, unlike their neighbours in England and elsewhere, the people of Scotland were left free by the Legislature to create a system of banking suitable to their wants. Before the days of railways and steamboats each district, by a process of "natural selection," had its banker. He was the trusted custodian of the savings of the thrifty. He was the discreet and sagacious supporter of the enterprising trader and adventurous man of commerce. His promises to pay gold on demand were freely accepted within the circuit of his district as a convenient and necessary medium of exchange. In this way there grew up throughout the country substantial private copartneries conducting the business of banking and serving the important purpose of promoting industry and thrift. The currency doctor had not yet been born, and the subtle suggestion had not yet been made that a one-pound note, convertible into gold on demand, might, unknown to its possessor, be of less value than the coin it represented.
"But the range of banking credit of these substantial copartneries was naturally limited to the districts where they respectively were known, and with increased facilities of communication and transit, and the rapid development of commercial enterprise, it by-and-by became evident that banking institutions of more commanding importance and more widely-recognized stability were required to take the place of the old local private banks. The three "old banks," with their headquarters in Edinburgh, had not yet seriously set themselves to serve the country districts, and the two new joint-stock banks which had been started there were comparatively in their infancy, when, in 1830, an energetic movement was begun in Glasgow to institute a joint-stock bank. It is not "sixty years since," and yet this apparently laudable proceeding provoked at that time the enmity and opposition of the "old banks" and private bankers to an extent which is now almost incredible. With great difficulty a law-agent was found sufficiently audacious to draw the bank's contract of copartnery, and when this had been accomplished and the bank had surmounted the dangers incidental to its birth, the directors were most fortunate in placing the young institution under the guidance of a gentleman of exceptional sagacity and experience, Mr. James Andrew Anderson.
"Mr. Anderson was then forty-five years of age. He was the son of Mr. Andrew Anderson, of Greenock, a much-respected merchant there, and was nephew of the celebrated Professor John Anderson, founder of Anderson's University, so he came of an excellent west country stock. Mr. Anderson had been bred to business in the counting-house of Mr. Dugald Bannatyne, and for fifteen years had traded successfully as a manufacturer. At the time he was selected for the important office of manager of the Glasgow Union Banking Company, as the bank at first was called, he had already acquired a high reputation for intelligence and integrity, and his subsequent career fully justified the expectations which were then formed. In those days the trade of Scotland was small compared with what it is now, but the fluctuations in prices, notably in grain, were more violent, and extended over wider limits than is often experienced now, and the banker's duties were correspondingly difficult. Through these troublous times the bank was safely guide steadily improving its position in the public estimation.
"That Mr. Anderson fully grasped the capabilities of his office was well shown by the manner in which he, more than any of his brethren, discerned the change of the times as affecting the private banks, and set about absorbing these old aristocratic institutions into the broader and more expansive organization of the Union Bank of Scotland. Beginning in 1836 with the Thistle Bank of Glasgow, which dated from 1761, there followed in due succession -
In 1838, Sir William Forbes, J. Hunter & Co., of Edinburgh, dating back to 1694,
In 1838, the Paisley Union Bank of 1788,
In 1843, the Glasgow and Ship Bank, dating, as regards the Ship Bank, from 1750,
In 1843, Hunters & Co., of Ayr, of 1771,
In 1849, the Aberdeen Bank of 1767,
and in 1857, subsequent to Mr. Anderson's retirement, there was added to the foregoing list the Perth Bank, dating from 1766. Transactions such as these must have been preceded by negotiations of the most delicate and confidential character, and that they were conducted with success is evidence beyond question of the high reputation for integrity and honour enjoyed by Mr. Anderson.
"Mr. Anderson's knowledge and capacity as a banker were recognized not only by the adherents of the Union Bank, but by the other managers of banks throughout Scotland. In 1841 he was examined before a Select Committee of the House of Commons, and was complimented on the clear and intelligent evidence he gave on the difficult questions relating to capital, currency, and credit. In 1844 and 1845 he was chairman of the Unchartered Banks of Scotland when the Bank Acts of these years were passing through Parliament. He was frequently sent for by Sir Robert Peel, when he fought what proved to be a losing battle for freedom of note issues as against the centralizing views of the Prime Minister. Nor was his energy satisfied with his own proper occupations. He was at one time a member of the Town Council and a magistrate of Glasgow. He was several years president of Anderson's University, and for eight years he acted as secretary to the Chamber of Commerce in succession to his friend, Mr. Dugald Bannatyne.
"Enough has now been said to show that an important place must be assigned, among the men who have made Glasgow what it now is, to the name of James Andrew Anderson. His official duties were of a high and responsible order, and were performed in a manner which secured him the entire confidence of his fellow-citizens. This rested wholly on his capacity for good work, combined with unbending integrity, for Mr. Anderson had none of the airs and graces which sometimes appear to do service for solid attainments. In figure he was tall, angular, and somewhat ungainly, with a rugged, serious countenance. He was a typical Scot, always earnest and grave, and yet a vein of kindliness and humour would often force itself through the somewhat hard exterior of his manner.
Mr. Anderson retired from the management of the Union Bank of Scotland in May, 1852, and died at his residence of Carlung, in Ayrshire, on the 10th May, 1863."
From: James MacLehose, Memoirs and portraits of one hundred Glasgow men who have died during the last thirty years and in their lives did much to make the city what it now is (Glasgow, James MacLehose & Sons, 1886), 3. James Andrew Anderson, available at http://gdl.cdlr.strath.ac.uk/mlemen/mlemen003.htm [accessed 14/08/2012].
£1,889 15S 5D
Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Central Scotland, Scotland
Carlung, Ayrshire, Southern Scotland, Scotland | <urn:uuid:cd07566c-21d7-456f-a2f0-548bcda985e5> | {
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This is Science Today. A new study has found ergonomically
correct tools - such as computer keyboards - benefit
workers a little later than previously thought. David
Rempel, the director of the University of California's
Ergonomics Program, says this study, which was done
in connection with researchers at the Lawrence Livermore
National Laboratory, concluded that people using such
tools shouldn't decide whether they work based on
Rempel: The value of a study like this is,
for the first time it looks like a relatively simple
intervention - making a small change in the keyboard
which doesn't significantly impact the cost of the
keyboard - might have some health value.
Narrator: While their work did find ergonomically
correct keyboards very beneficial, Rempel recommends
other activities as well.
Rempel: Limit the number of hours on the computer,
make sure they're adequate work breaks and make sure
that the whole workstation is set up properly for
the person's body size.
Narrator: For Science Today, I'm Larissa Branin | <urn:uuid:e5f3f642-a4bc-4eef-b485-b97635ef45cc> | {
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9 January 2013. Climate change poses many challenges to beaches and coastal areas and to the people living near these areas. In order to educate school students and community members on how to protect their beach environments, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Jakarta office and the FOCIL Foundation organized a Sandwatch training of trainers for teachers and students from Wangi-wangi island, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, in Wakatobi, Indonesia, on 17 and 18 December 2012.
The training involved 18 students and 6 teachers from 3 local schools and started the implementation of Sandwatch activities on the island. In particular, the event aimed to socialize the concept of Sandwatch for climate change adaptation and education for sustainable development, discuss Sandwatch methodologies, and develop a one-year workplan for Sandwatch implementation in the respective schools.
During the training workshop and a fieldtrip, teachers and students identified the environmental problems facing Waha beach, discussed the environmental problems they will focus on as part of Sandwatch activities (each school will choose a beach where they will implement Sandwatch), and debated on how Sandwatch activities can be regularly implemented in the schools for the next 5 months and beyond.
Coastal environmental issues identified and discussed at the training include sand mining and the ensuing rapid erosion, beach use, and debris. One-year workplans for beach monitoring, data analysis, result sharing and taking action are currently being developed by each school.
Participants are encouraged to share the knowledge they have gained with other students and to invite them to implement Sandwatch activities and be part of the global Sandwatch programme. It is expected that by mid 2013, at least 40 students will have been involved in Sandwatch activities in Wakatobi. The first beach monitoring will be carried out by mid January 2013.
The Sandwatch project was launched by UNESCO in 1999 as a volunteer network of primary and secondary school students and teachers. Sandwatch seeks to develop awareness of the fragile nature of the marine and coastal environment and the need to use it wisely. The project activates an educational process through which school students and community members learn and work together. They critically evaluate the problems and conflicts facing their beach environments and develop sustainable approaches to address these issues. Sandwatch provides a practical ‘hands-on’ approach for integrating the values inherent to sustainable development into all aspects of learning. It thereby empowers citizens to act for positive environmental and social change. | <urn:uuid:2bf2a56a-04e8-44c1-b3f4-d3955e94cc2e> | {
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Posts Tagged ‘Allergy shots’
Most people do not experience adverse reactions to allergy shots. Sometimes they may have swelling, redness or itching at the site of injection. These mild reactions are usually treated with antihistamines, and the doctor may adjust the dose for the next injection.
Rarely more severe reactions are manifested. In sensitive individuals, the vaccine can cause asthma symptoms such as difficulty breathing, wheezing or coughing. In addition, an anaphylactic reaction can cause dizziness, nausea, chest tightness or swelling of the throat that prevents you from breathing. These reactions can be treated in the office, but sometimes may require treatment in hospital. Read the rest of this entry »
Before administering vaccines allergy testing is needed to determine which allergens will trigger allergic reactions. These studies include skin or patch tests and a blood test called “radioallergosorbent test” or RAST. The results are not always accurate. You may get a positive test without allergic symptoms or, conversely, to show allergy symptoms even with a negative test.
How it is done
When given an allergy vaccine is injected a small amount of allergen under the skin, usually in the fleshy part of the forearm. At the start of treatment, the injections are usually once a week and go increasing doses of allergens gradually with each injection. A patient can achieve the maximum dose, also known as a maintenance dose at four to six months of starting treatment. Read the rest of this entry »
Allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy, are a medical procedure that involves making the body insensitive to not overreact to certain allergens. They are given small amounts of the substance to cause discomfort by injection to stimulate the immune system gradually. As the weeks and months will increase the amount of allergens in gradually.
It is not yet clear how the allergy shots, but it is estimated that the treatment stimulates an immune response against allergens other, which is more comfortable than traditional allergic response. The vaccines do not provide immediate relief, but may be a good long term solution if they work well. Many people have managed to reverse the symptoms of allergy after completion of treatment (3 to 5 years) with allergy shots.
It may take six months to a year before symptoms begin to disappear. For those who respond to treatment, allergy shots can significantly reduce the intensity and frequency of symptoms. However, in some cases, it may not produce any effect or the results are minimal, even after completing a year of treatment. Read the rest of this entry » | <urn:uuid:d63883f8-cd83-45f7-ae00-f889c4551b4a> | {
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Supporting early childhood education: BASF’s “Action on Education” campaign
As part of the “Action on Education” campaign, BASF Aktiengesellschaft is supporting seven projects aimed at boosting early childhood education in daycare centers.
The projects are being organized and carried out by organizations that operate daycare centers in Ludwigshafen – the city of Ludwigshafen and Germany’s two main churches. Ludwigshafen’s 89 daycare centers are taking part in the projects together. An academic research group will provide ongoing support and post-project evaluation for the projects, which are intended to be sustainable and to continue after the project phase is over.
The projects address topics that are an integral part of the educational guidelines laid down for daycare centers by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate.
1. Project “Language Makes You Strong! Language Bridge Daycare Centers”
Language is the key to successful education and integration, which is why this project aims to improve the development of language skills among children from diverse social and cultural backgrounds.
Promoting language skills in small groups and in everyday classroom situations helps in the following way: using small groups, trained staff use games to systematically teach children with poor language skills a specific number of new words, e.g., “clothes” or “parts of the body.” To consolidate the new vocabulary, each topic is again dealt with in the entire group and in other ways (for example, by naming the different items of clothes when getting dressed). Parents are children’s most important language partners. Once a week, parents who come from other countries or families with educational problems go to the daycare center with their children. They learn in game form how to encourage the use of language using play and get tips on what to do at home.
2. Project “Pure Nature”
This project helps daycare centers to teach children about nature. The idea is to give children a wide variety of ways of learning about nature so that they develop a relationship with nature and the natural world, and experience and understand its relationship with other things. For this reason, an important part of the project is building natural play areas for the centers. Examples include model outdoor play areas, such as building small hillocks, climbing opportunities or making little streams.
3. Project “From Small to Smart”
The aim of this project is to encourage children to be curious about scientific phenomena and to help them learn how to express and think about their experiences. Age-appropriate, hands-on experiments help to encourage their interest in chemistry, math and physics. Specially equipped educational workshops in each of the participating daycare centers also encourage the children to learn more easily. In small groups, the children find out what happens, for example, when they mix paints, what substances dissolve in water or discover “hidden” air. Using materials found in every household, the children are able to make surprising experiences.
4. Storytelling Workshop
Listening to stories from different cultures doesn’t just fascinate children, it also helps them to better understand their own and other cultures. This project uses storytelling as an educational tool: children learn to listen and become storytellers themselves, while at the same time coming face to face with stories from other cultures and traditions.
5. Project “From Piccolo to Picasso”
Helping to develop creative skills in children is the aim of this project, which boosts the esthetic and artistic element of the centers’ curriculum. Children are given the opportunity – based on their teachers’ suggestions – to express themselves using colors, shapes and experimental designs. Artists are also invited to come and work with the children. All the participating centers have set up “children’s studios” – their size depends on the available space – where the children can draw, paint or make things.
6. Project “Guaranty for quality”
This project introduces quality assurance into daycare centers with respect to processes, structures and results. Staff at the centers are trained to monitor and improve the quality of their own work on an ongoing basis. Every year, each center chooses specific areas from a list of defined, quality-relevant subjects that they want to focus on and implement, for example integrating parents into the work of the centers.
7. Project “Observation and Educational Partnership”
This project intends to assist center staff in developing their observational skills: the idea is to be more aware of children’s individuality so that they can be given greater personal support. Center staff are trained to systematically observe children’s development, their strengths and needs and to document these observations for each child. The training also teaches staff how to talk to parents with the aim of persuading them to work more closely with the centers in the interests of the children.Back to top | <urn:uuid:77113b78-4789-4e1c-a88f-d6ce924d17ab> | {
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|© UNICEF Angola/2010/Blumenkratz|
|An infant sleeps under a mosquito net in Angola.|
By Yolanda Nunes Correia
LUANDA, Angola, 25 April 2012 – Today, 25 April, is World Malaria Day, an event that calls attention to the critical need bring malaria under control.
Despite progress made in Angola’s fight against malaria, the disease remains the country’s principal killer of young children, accounting for 35 per cent of deaths among children under age 5.
This is more than a statistic for Catarina Cassinda, from Namibe Province. One year ago, in April, she lost her 18-month-old child to malaria.
“My personal story made me an activist in the fight against malaria in the school where I teach,” Ms. Cassinda said.
Taking action against malaria
Ms. Cassinda is a teacher at Tombwa Primary School, where she has seen the positive effects of efforts to combat the disease.
“There are now fewer and fewer cases of school absenteeism due to malaria. The means of malaria transmission by mosquito bites and the protection measures, including the use of treated mosquito nets, are taught to students,” she said. “The topic is also included in our training manuals.”
She and her family now always sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets. And Ms. Cassinda wants to prevent other mothers and families from going through what she has been through.
Reaching as many as possible
Many bilateral and multilateral partners have been supporting the Government of Angola in reinforcing the national malaria control programme. Access to long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) and malaria treatment has been increasing at a steady pace since 2006.
UNICEF provides technical and logistical support for the procurement and distribution of LLINs. UNICEF is also assisting communication campaigns to raise awareness about the need for and proper use of mosquito nets.
“UNICEF is working with partners to ensure the three essentials: knowledge to be protected and early detection of malaria; free access to malaria treatment and prevention during pregnancy; and ensuring access to free drugs and nets,” said UNICEF Representative in Angola Koenraad Vanormelingen.
Communication campaigns, education activities and social mobilization activities have also played an important role in creating demand for mosquito nets.
Millions of mosquito nets have been distributed in Angola in the last few years, increasing the coverage of under-5 children and pregnant women to 26 per cent, according to the 2011 Malaria Indicator Survey. And efforts are underway to help even more people keep their families safe.
Balbina Calamua Inácio, a mother of three boys, is happy to say that her family has taken measures to protect themselves. “I protect my boys since an early age by sleeping under treated mosquito nets,” she said.
World Malaria Day 2012 (opens to an external site) | <urn:uuid:214ab458-64ed-4e53-80c8-34500cbd474f> | {
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For nearly half-a-century, molecular biologists have sought to solve the mystery of how proteins are synthesized and the intricacies of ribosomes — the small particles in cells on which proteins are synthesized. Two UCLA molecular biologists propose a solution in the March 21 issue of the journal Nature.
The scientists — James A. Lake, UCLA professor of molecular, cell and developmental biology, and UCLA graduate student Anne B. Simonson — show how the “factory of life” works.
“The ribosome is like a computer-driven protein factory that has been cloaked in secrecy,” Lake said. “We knew the shape of the factory, and we could see the trucks going in, but we couldn’t peer beyond the factory gate. We knew the names of the employees, but we didn’t know what they did. Now we have a hypothesis of how the employees move in and out of different rooms to get their work done, and even what they have for lunch. Our hypothesis of how protein synthesis works may be refined, but we are confident that the central parts are correct.
“Proteins are the workhorses of the cell, the molecules that make us what we are, and every protein in our body is made on a ribosome,” Lake said. “Ribosomes are central to life, and are in every living organism, from the smallest bacteria to humans.”
Why is it important to understand how ribosomes make proteins?
Each of our cells has more than 100,000 ribosomes, and solving what Lake calls “the puzzle of life” requires a much greater understanding of the ribosome’s role in protein synthesis than the broad outlines scientists have had until now. In addition, the research could lead to new antibiotics, and insights into how genes are regulated, which could lead to new treatments for a variety of diseases, Lake said.
In molecular biology, translation is the process that turns genes into proteins — the “molecules of life.” Scientists have not understood how this critical process works, but have known that it has three phases: initiation, elongation and termination, of which elongation is the key. A number of antibiotics work at the translation level.
“Elongation is the heart of protein synthesis,” Lake said, the phase in which the ribosome adds amino acids, sometimes hundreds of them.
In their Nature paper, Lake and Simonson explain the molecular details of elongation, including the location and movement of more than 10,000 atoms. In addition, they have located a novel binding site for transfer RNA (tRNA) when it enters the ribosome.
“Genes are being turned on and turned off, and transcribed and translated constantly in our cells,” Simonson said. “Learning the mechanisms of how this works is key.”
With the new knowledge, it may become possible to make modifications in parts of the translation process to suppress lethal mutations and design new proteins to counteract the defects that cause numerous diseases, Lake said.
If the ribosome is a factory, then the workers in the hard hats include tRNA and EF-Tu, a ubiquitous protein molecule that is like a large motor transporting tRNAs and amino acids. Simonson and Lake have learned how they move and function.
“EF-Tu moves to exactly where it needs to go to transport the tRNA to where it needs to be so the amino acids are close enough together to be added to the end of a growing protein chain,” Lake said. “The structure led us. The ribosome’s structure was telling us, ‘It can’t move like that, it doesn’t fit there, you have to turn it this way.’ All the times we would make mistakes, the ribosome would correct us.”
“The most exciting moment for me occurred late one night when we saw the initial binding site for tRNA before it turns,” Simonson said. “The structure of the ribosome dictated how it fit in. We looked at each other and said, ‘Wow! That’s amazing.’”
The research, which involved sophisticated computer simulation, was federally funded by grants from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Energy and the Astrobiology Institute. | <urn:uuid:202fe9b3-58d0-4a19-95d2-f1eaca04b982> | {
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- For Teachers
Witch one are right?
1- She was keep the butter here or she kept the butter here.
I Would Like To Ask You ,please .
Which One Is Correct?
1- She was Keep The Butter Here.
2- She kept The Butter Here.
Thank You Alot .
was keep is wrong English
a lot is two words
Continue to work hard and ask as many questions as you want. | <urn:uuid:3c86aac5-0c0b-49b8-ab98-3ed5aecb613b> | {
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Recently, the San Diego Council on Literacy interviewed and filmed 14 adult literacy students for a short video to be released this fall. In the video were nine women, five men and two teachers. Seven were white. Four were black. Three were Latino. Two had learned English as a second language. One was a nurse. Four earned college degrees. Two earned degrees before they became literate.
What many of these learners had in common was that, somehow, they slipped by all of us, either by being made invisible by others, or by successfully, of their own will, making themselves invisible over a period of 12 school years.
Some parents, teachers and administrators knew that something was wrong with the reading progress of these students but did not, for many reasons, intervene. Many years later, these students found the courage to ask for help from the affiliated programs of the San Diego Council on Literacy.
Today, we know that we can, statistically and with unfortunately good accuracy, determine who will succeed and fail in school simply by knowing that person’s income level, ethnicity and ZIP code. It would seem that, by now, we would have overcome the glaring obstacles that interfere with the proper education of our children. We have not.
In the Diamond Community, an area in southeast San Diego that includes 10 neighborhoods surrounding the intersection of Euclid and Market Street, community members are meeting regularly to address old issues in the education of inner city youth. For six months, community leaders have gathered twice monthly to understand more deeply the education challenges facing the area. With the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation offering a place to convene, the Diamond Community Education Working Group is building a common understanding of the problem and a shared vision for the future.
The group is presently in the early stages of articulating a plan of action that focuses on enhancing the capacity of principals, teachers, parents, and community organizations to support early literacy development. This strategy is a direct response to what the group has learned about the importance of early literacy for future academic success. It is also a response to the poor performance of area schools, where 70 percent of third graders were reading below grade level in 2010.
Chula Vista, with leadership from Mayor Cheryl Cox, has taken several steps to address a communitywide approach to increase literacy. As a charter member of the national Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, Chula Vista has cross-sector teams of individuals working together to support school readiness, student attendance, and summer learning. Chula Vista schools, nonprofits, hospitals, businesses, government, and churches are collaborating to support young people and the adults who care for them.
From our work in recent months, we have relearned a few important messages. One is that expectations and attitude are powerful enough to change … everything. If we expect good, we get good, and if we expect mediocrity, or failure, we get that, too.
Another lesson is that a good home environment is more powerful than the bleakest of neighborhoods. Parents who read, read to their children, have books in the home for their children, talk and listen to their children, control television time, advocate for their children when they are in school, and who are determined that their children will read and succeed, are a good thing for all of us. | <urn:uuid:762150c8-6277-49b7-bd38-8ee23a0b256b> | {
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Gautama Buddha, born as a prince, lived life as a king and worshiped as a God. He searches for the true power and enlightenment. The Buddha who is the founder of the Buddhist religion is called Buddha Shakyamuni born is the Lumbini, Nepal, but at the age of 29, he left his place and kingdom and loved ones behind, Siddhartha (the actual name given by his mother) became a wandering monk. He took his training and studied with the wisest teachers of his day and he continued the search of the peace.
He became God for common man, and people actually learn the cause and reason of human sufferings. He got worshiped in many countries, his thoughts and moral values spread all over the world and common people got the way to known they happiness and sadness. Now In more than dozen countries, his thought and messages are been preached and followed by people. In Theravadin countries, Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Laos, the New Year is celebrated for three days from the first full moon day in April. His thoughts have been followed by countries like Mahayana, where they celebrate New Year starts on the first full moon day in January.
Festivals and holidays
Buddhist New Year In Theravadin countries, Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Laos, the New Year is celebrated for three days from the first full moon day in April.
Vesak or Visakah Puja ("Buddha Day")-Traditionally, Buddha's Birthday is known as Vesak or Visakah Puja Vesak is the major Buddhist festival of the year as it celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha on the one day. This celebration is called Vesak being the name of the month in the Indian calendar Magha Puja Day (Fourfold Assembly or "SanghaDay")
Magha Puja Day takes places on the full moon day of the third lunar month (March). This holy day is observed to honor an important event in the life of the Buddha. Moreover, like this, there are other days which have been celebrated on the honor of the lord Buddha. In this trip one can feel the real sense of life and real the values of mortality and immorality? People will come to known about the Buddhist philosophy. In addition, the trip is offered by expert and knowledge people who are well aware about the Lord Buddha and the day celebrated on his honor holidays. | <urn:uuid:a1f67470-796b-4962-951f-d473d0a85553> | {
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Malathion Pesticide Exposure and Its Effects
Attention and behavior disorders are some of the most common conditions among young children, and some of the most concerning for parents. Researchers have long been looking for causes of these types of conditions, and while heredity and chemical imbalances are commonly thought to be causes, exposure to malathion pesticide is also showing to be a possible source.
Pesticides called organophosphates, which include parathion and malathion pesticide chemicals, have been shown to be a possible link in the development of attention difficulties in children who are exposed to the toxins. While it is one of the lesser potent pesticides that have been included in the study, the prevalence of the use of malathion pesticides make exposure to the substance very easy.
The malathion pesticide is used in the treatment of fruits, vegetables, cotton, landscaping, public pests, recreation areas such as playgrounds, and much more. In order to help keep exposure to malathion pesticide to a minimum, many people choose to:
- Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating
- Cook foods completely
- Wash new clothing before wearing
- Constantly wash hands, especially when out in public areas
- Avoid touching the face or mouth, as well as foods, with dirty hands
If your child is displaying symptoms of attention or behavioral problems, and you suspect it may be caused by over exposure to malathion pesticide, contact your physician. He or she may be able to help properly diagnose the condition and help you create a plan to manage the condition. | <urn:uuid:be57330f-ae78-45e5-a3c8-b4a79873cc6f> | {
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Q: When people talk about acidity in a coffee being a positive attribute - what do they mean?
A: Oftentimes 'acidity' is related to objective pH level (think lemons and grapefruit). Coffee is low in this type of acidity. When we talk of acidity in the coffee cup we refer to the vibrancy, liveliness and fruity brightness, which is characteristic of high grown, high quality arabica beans.
A: Bitterness is often the result of 2 things:
- Dark roasting (this may be intentional to create a roasty smokiness that some drinkers enjoy - oftentimes it is unintentional!) OR
- Over extraction by the barista in creating the cup - the grind of the coffee may be too fine for the brewing method resulting in too little water running through too much coffee
A: Contrary to popular belief, coffee should never be stored in either fridge or freezer! The four main enemies of the coffee bean are oxygen, heat, moisture, and light. Once the beans are taken out of the fridge or freezer, the coffee will absorb the condensation when the ice-crystals have thawed. Always store your beans in a cool, dark, dry place like the pantry. Remember, coffee absorbs smells so store your beans in an airtight vacuum container.
A: Coffee is a perishable good - you must think of coffee the same way you think of your fruit and vegetables, which no doubt you probably buy on a weekly basis. Coffee reaches its peak potential between 3 to 12 days after roasting, after which the coffee beans begin to deteriorate quite quickly. To truly enjoy a fresh cup of coffee, you need to be buying coffee fresh from the roaster in small lots. Keep an eye out for one-way valves on the packaging, check for roast on dates (or use by dates!) and store in a cool, dark, dry place. Try to consume ground coffee within a week of grinding, while whole beans should be consumed within 3 weeks of roast date. | <urn:uuid:4f0a4fcf-3562-4cd5-a948-f2d9266a8df2> | {
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Observation TowerStanding in the open mountain pass of Dukla on the Slovak-Polish borders you can see an observatory tower offering a spectacular view of the Slovak and Polish land – the background scenery of the fights during the Karpathian-Dukla operation. The Tower was opened up for public in 1974 on the 30th anniversary of the Battle of Dukla pass. It is 49 m high and was built on the site of an original wooden observatory tower from 1959 nearby a temporary observatory site of the commander of the 1.Czechoslovakian army corps. The tower interior is well-decorated with some art pieces of the sculptor A. Raček: “Vítanie osloboditeľov – Welcome of the liberators “, a figure composition “Spoločný boj – Common fight” of the academic sculpture J. Koreň. The tower exterior is decorated with “ Lime tree branch” being a symbol of a Slavonian solidarity created by an academic sculptor F. Patočka. Inside the observatory tower we can find: "A plan of an attack of the Red Army through Karpathy mountains to help directly SNU” and "An actual map in the space of the Dukla pass from September 30 up to November 5th 1944". | <urn:uuid:5fda3f5b-b681-49b4-a3a0-b868b8c11d22> | {
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The first census to report on how well people were housed was that of 1891, but the only
statistics gathered were on the number of rooms and the number of people in each household.
From 1951 onwards, more questions were asked about 'amenities', meaning specific facilities
that households either possessed or had shared access to.
One interesting measure of progress is the change in the amenities covered by the census. In 1951, these were piped water, a cooking stove, a kitchen sink, a 'water closet' meaning a flush toilet, and a 'fixed bath', as distinct from a tin bath hung on the wall between uses. In 2001, the list of key amenities was shorter: central heating, and 'sole use of bath/shower and toilet'. Differences in what information was recorded by each census complicate comparisons over time, and none of our three measures are entirely consistent.
Our detailed statistics are held in structures called nCubes, which you can think of as tables with one dimension, or with two ... or with twenty. Their dimensions are defined by the variables each nCube combines, and each variable is made up of categories. These nCubes are available at national level for this theme:
|Available nCubes||Period covered||Variables
(number of categories)
|Total Households||1931 to 2001||
|Housing Density, redistricted||1931 to 2001||
Persons per Room
|Housing Amenity, redistricted||1951 to 2001||
Housing amenities, simplified | <urn:uuid:e8744729-008d-44cb-a684-f374fbbff123> | {
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This page is designed to tell you more about their use, and how it affects you.
What are cookies?
- Cookies are small text files which are stored by your browser (for example Internet Explorer or Firefox) on your computer or mobile device.
- Cookies allow websites to store things like user preferences.
- They enables websites to "remember" certain bits of information.
- Cookies cannot harm or scan your computer for private information stored on your hard drive.
How can I turn cookies off?
Your should be able to adjust the settings of your browser to prevent websites storing cookies, however, turning off all cookies may prevent this website from functioning correctly.
You can find out how to adjust your cookie settings here: | <urn:uuid:d09d4efd-8a9c-43d0-86ee-a320de03a014> | {
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LEESBURG, Va., Aug. 15, 2007 – During the first 30 days of life, newly born horses (called "foals") are especially sensitive to bacteria and other dangers commonly found in their every day surroundings. Each year between January and June, dozens of these foals are brought to Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center for treatment where the hospital's experts work diligently to return the critically ill young animals to full health.
“We work with extremely compromised patients that sometimes arrive to us with diseases involving multiple organs,” said Dr. Anne Desrochers, clinical assistant professor in equine medicine. “It is very fulfilling to see many of these little babies go home happy and healthy after having been so sick.”
Common problems that can affect foals include prematurity, neonatal sepsis (infection), hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (brain damage resulting from a lack of oxygen which is also known as “dummy foal”) and diarrhea. “These diseases can occur due to exposure to pathogens in utero or after birth” said Desrochers.
Due to their delicate nature, neonates that are brought in for emergency treatment are always seen first by members of the hospital’s internal medicine team who specialize in the physiologic interaction among internal body systems. These board certified experts oversee and implement their care along with help from residents, interns and nurses.
“The nature of a neonate’s illness can be more volatile because their immune defenses are not quite as vigorous as those of adults,” said Dr. Martin Furr, the Adelaide C. Riggs Chair in Equine Medicine.
Furr notes that all horses have very sensitive organ systems that can be damaged by sitting or lying down for extended periods of time. A foal’s small size (the average healthy neonate weighs approximately 100-120 lbs) allows the clinicians to prevent this problem by moving the patient often and repositioning their body as needed.
“Their small size enables us to manage their posture so that they don’t become compromised as a result of lying on the mats,” said Furr.
Unlike in human medicine in which infants are often separated from their mothers, foals that are brought to the center are typically kept in the same stall as the mare. This practice is both a convenience for the owner and a benefit to the patient.
“When the foal is healthy and gets back home, we want them to have a full and normal life with their mothers so, in most cases, it is best if they stay together during treatment,” said Desrochers. “The mares are usually extremely cooperative because they seem to understand that we’re here to help.”
Integral to the success of the center’s neonatal care service is the Foal Watch Volunteer Program which matches volunteers with cases requiring around-the-clock attention. Participants in the program sit with sick patients for assigned periods of time in order to observe and report any physical or behavioral changes.
“It is important to be very alert with neonates because their weakened state makes them susceptible to other complications,” said Furr. “Our faculty, staff and volunteers, very carefully monitor these patients to avoid problems such as sores, eye infections and imbalance in blood glucose levels.”
According to Penny Archer, director of volunteer services at the center, the Foal Watch Volunteer Program runs from the time that the first foal is admitted in early February to the time that the last patient leaves in late June. Horse experience is not necessary but all participants undergo mandatory training.
“The goal is to supplement the equine medical center’s workforce with a capable and trained volunteer team,” said Archer. “They are an extra pair of eyes, hands and ears in the intensive care unit.”
Although the task of bringing a sick foal back to health can be very challenging and demanding, those who participate in the healing process note that it is also extremely fulfilling.
“The first time they start nursing, the first time that they take steps, it makes your job worthwhile,” said Desrochers. “It’s very demanding to deal with because the foals are usually so sick and vulnerable and not every patient recovers, but at the end of the day, it is always worth it.”
Information regarding the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center’s clinicians and services is available online at www.equinemedicalcenter.net. Appointments for neonatal consultations may be scheduled by calling 703-771-6800.
Virginia Tech’s Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center is a premier full-service equine hospital located in Leesburg, Virginia, that offers advanced specialty care, 24-hour emergency treatment and diagnostic services for all ages and breeds of horses. One of three campuses that comprise the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, the center’s team of equine specialists is committed to providing exceptional treatment to patients, superior service to clients and cutting-edge research to the equine industry. | <urn:uuid:fff688a1-e25f-4cd2-aa81-1acfd59507e0> | {
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Q: I have two two-year old ‘Yoshino’ cherry trees in full sun planted thirty feet apart. They were both thriving but over the past month one tree’s leaves are drooping, turning yellow, and falling off. The other tree looks great. The sick tree has less drainage than the other and has been in some standing water. Is this root rot and will the tree survive?
A: Flowering cherry trees are famous for their dislike of poorly drained soil. Their roots demand constant gas exchange. In other words, the roots have to breathe.
Cherries installed in un-amended clay soil or planted too deeply or in spots where water accumulates usually die after a few years.
I’m doubtful your sick tree will survive. Remove it, mix a bag of soil conditioner in a six-foot wide planting area and put another in its place.
Tags For This Article: planting | <urn:uuid:85b2511a-d1a9-4777-8411-d22144c57c29> | {
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Q: How deep do roots go into the ground for tomatoes and most other vegetables in the home garden? I am thinking not very deep and if so why do I need to waste time and gas tilling the entire space?
A: Depth is not the problem – it’s width. Roots grow widely from the base of the stem of vegetables but they only grow as deeply as they can find usable oxygen. Tilling increases the area in which roots can expand. You should be mulching the area between plants to prevent weeds. | <urn:uuid:537ff942-c526-4562-8fb0-617b2d591e1b> | {
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People love their pets and consider them members of their family: Caregivers celebrate their pets' birthdays, confide in their animals, and carry pictures of them in their wallets. So when your beloved pet dies, it's not unusual to feel overwhelmed by the intensity of your sorrow. But understanding how you grieve and finding ways to cope with your loss can bring you closer to the day when memories bring smiles instead of tears.
What is the grief process?
The grief process is as individual as the person, lasting days for one person or years for another. The process typically begins with denial, which offers protection until individuals can realize their loss. Some caregivers may try bargaining with a higher power, themselves, or even their pet to restore life. Some feel anger, which may be directed at anyone involved with the pet, including family, friends, and veterinarians. The caregivers may also feel guilt about what they did or did not do, and may feel that it is inappropriate to be so upset. After these feelings subside, the caregivers experience true sadness or grief. In their depression, caregivers may withdraw. Acceptance occurs when they accept the reality of their loss and remember their animal companion with decreasing sadness. Remember, not everyone follows these classic stages of grief some may skip or repeat a stage, or experience the stages in a different order.
How can I cope with my grief?
While grief is a personal experience, a caregiver need not face this loss alone. Many forms of support are available, including pet bereavement counseling services, pet-loss support hotlines, local or on-line Internet bereavement groups, books, videos, and magazine articles. Here are a few suggestions to help you cope:
What can I do for my child?
The loss of a pet may be a child's first experience with death. The child may blame himself, his parents, or the veterinarian for not saving the pet. And he may feel guilty, depressed, and frightened that others he loves may be taken from him. Trying to protect your child by saying the pet ran away could cause your child to expect the pet's return and feel betrayed after discovering the truth. Expressing your own grief may reassure your child that sadness is okay and help him work through his feelings.
Is the process more difficult if I'm a senior?
Coping with the loss of a pet can be particularly hard for seniors. Those who live alone may feel a loss of purpose and an immense emptiness. The pet's death may also trigger painful memories of other losses and remind caregivers of their own mortality. What's more, the decision to get another pet is complicated by the possibility that the pet may outlive the caregiver, and hinges on the person's physical and financial ability to care for a new pet.
For all these reasons, it's critical that senior pet owners take immediate steps to cope with their loss and regain a sense of purpose. If you are a senior, try interacting with friends and family, calling a pet-loss support hotline, even volunteering at a local humane society. If you know seniors in this situation, direct them to this Web page and guide them through the difficult grieving process.
Will my other pets grieve?
Surviving pets may whimper, refuse to eat or drink, and suffer lethargy, especially if they had a close bond with the deceased pet. Even if they were not the best of friends, the changing circumstances and your emotional state may distress them. Give surviving pets lots of TLC ("tender loving care") and try to maintain a normal routine. It's good for them and for you.
Should I get another pet?
Rushing into this decision isn't fair to you or your new pet. Each animal has his own unique personality and a new animal cannot replace the one you lost. You'll know when the time is right to adopt a new pet after giving yourself time to grieve, carefully considering the responsibilities of pet ownership, and paying close attention to your feelings. When you are ready, remember that your local animal shelter is a great place to find your next special friend.
Copyright © 2001 The Humane Society of the United States All rights reserved. | <urn:uuid:0340412b-b654-421a-b2e5-d37bb89baed7> | {
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New from Webteacher Software and partners, GoogleMapBuilder.com
An easy interface to turn any spreadsheet into a Google Map
Webteacher Software now offers
I teach computer classes for a living to corporate clients of all levels. After 2 years of teaching, I have learned a lot about communication between people of various levels of computer experience. This tutorial assumes that you have no prior programming experience, but that you have created your own HTML pages.
If you find this tutorial helpful, please let me know (it's my only reward). Also, links are graciously accepted.
Actually, the 2 languages have almost nothing in common except for the name. Although Java is technically an interpreted programming language, it is coded in a similar fashion to C++, with separate header and class files, compiled together prior to execution. It is powerful enough to write major applications and insert them in a web page as a special object called an "applet." Java has been generating a lot of excitment because of its unique ability to run the same program on IBM, Mac, and Unix computers. Java is not considered an easy-to-use language for non-programmers.
What is Object Oriented Programming?
OOP is a programming technique (note: not a language structure - you don't even need an object-oriented language to program in an object-oriented fashion) designed to simplify complicated programming concepts. In essence, object-oriented programming revolves around the idea of user- and system-defined chunks of data, and controlled means of accessing and modifying those chunks.
Object-oriented programming consists of Objects, Methods and Properties. An object is basically a black box which stores some information. It may have a way for you to read that information and a way for you to write to, or change, that information. It may also have other less obvious ways of interacting with the information.
Some of the information in the object may actually be directly accessible; other information may require you to use a method to access it - perhaps because the way the information is stored internally is of no use to you, or because only certain things can be written into that information space and the object needs to check that you're not going outside those limits.
The directly accessible bits of information in the object are its properties. The difference between data accessed via properties and data accessed via methods is that with properties, you see exactly what you're doing to the object; with methods, unless you created the object yourself, you just see the effects of what you're doing.
Objects and Properties
Your web page document is an object. Any table, form, button, image, or link on your page is also an object. Each object has certain properties (information about the object). For example, the background color of your document is written document.bgcolor. You would change the color of your page to red by writing the line: document.bgcolor="red"
The contents (or value) of a textbox named "password" in a form named "entryform" is document.entryform.password.value.
Most objects have a certain collection of things that they can do. Different objects can do different things, just as a door can open and close, while a light can turn on and off. A new document is opened with the method document.open() You can write "Hello World" into a document by typing document.write("Hello World") . open() and write() are both methods of the object: document. | <urn:uuid:7772f169-1fe0-4821-9f17-fc1a29f7ccbe> | {
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A new study is taking the anti-aging power of antioxidants to the next level for fighting wrinkles. A researcher at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has succeeded in isolating a plant-based antioxidant that counters the breakdown of collagen fibers in the skin.
Unlike antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, which oxidize quickly becoming less potent from heat and time, this new discovery is a stable antioxidant that is more effective in combating the effects of free radicals that leads to aging.
The plant source of the antioxidant has not been disclosed yet because the research is being patented. The researcher plans to use it to develop a new generation of anti-aging skincare products. | <urn:uuid:51fcdcf0-0209-4d42-8ad7-5a23dcd8c362> | {
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The game, which is part of the McGraw-Hill Practice suite of hands-on, experiential learning games, was tested in schools across the country, including Georgia Perimeter College, Collin Community College in Texas, California State University, San Diego State, Richland College in Texas and Clayton State in Georgia.
Professor Jason Seitz of Georgia Perimeter College said the game helped his students tie all of the concepts in his course together to develop a deeper understanding and knowledge of the subject. "With an engaged classroom, I can spend less time transferring facts and more time exploring implications," he said.
Despite the negative press that video games sometimes get, they're changing the way subjects are being taught in classrooms across the country. According to a March 2012 survey of teachers, 32 percent use games two to four days per week, while 18 percent use them every day. An overwhelming 70 percent of teachers agreed that using digital games boosts motivation and engagement, and 62 percent of teachers said that games make teaching easier.
Dave McCool, president and CEO of Muzzy Lane Software, said the challenge with serious games is to make them both fun and educational. While there have been proven benefits of using games as part of educational curriculum, educational games aren't flooding the market.
"The fact that 'Oregon Trail' and 'Carmen Sandiego' still stand out after 30 years isn't great from the perspective of how powerful good, serious games can be," McCool said.
McCool's team is expanding "Government in Action" to work on iPad and Android tablets to take advantage of touch controls. The iPad version of the game will make its debut at the 2013 SXSWedu conference in Austin, Texas.
"Educators seem to have more tools available to them than ever before, and there's no doubt that, when appropriately utilized, technology has the capacity to enhance the classroom experience," Tierney said. "The key, of course, is to familiarize and excite teachers to maximize its use in the most positive way."
As is the nature of gaming, "Government in Action" has been designed to be addictive. Instructors have found that students will replay the game again and again to explore myriad options, as well as to compete on the leaderboard. | <urn:uuid:1f6b3306-73b1-4f0a-9dbf-3fb2d1f66114> | {
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Shop Men's Categories
Layering for Comfort and Safety
Protection from bright light and UV radiation
Sunglasses protect the eyes from the sun's damaging UV radiation, and improve visibility and comfort on the water by reducing light intensity and filtering out glare.
On the water, the combination of direct and reflected light is much brighter than on land. Unfiltered glare, the light reflected off flat surfaces like water, windshields, bright white decks and sails, is so intense that it impairs vision (a clear safety hazard). Glare causes squinting, fatigues the eyes, and can result in visual discomfort and headaches. Glare is present even on hazy days. Most sunglasses reduce light intensity by 80-90 percent with darkening gray, green, amber, or other colored lens.
Colored lenses alone are not enough protection for marine conditions. To filter out intense glare and prevent squinting, sunglasses for boating should be polarized. And they should be coated to block 99-100 percent of the damaging UVA and UVB (ultraviolet) rays that can reduce visual acuity at night, and cause degenerative eye diseases like photokeratitis, snow blindness, cataracts, pterygium, and various forms of eye cancer. Sunglasses should also be shatterproof to protect the eyes from injury in the event of sudden impact.
When light rays reflect off a surface, the reflected rays concentrate in one plane and are said to be polarized. Reflected glare is an example of polarized light. Even on overcast days, the high–intensity light we call glare can be harsh and overwhelming to your eyes. It blinds you and masks what's behind it. Squinting blocks out some of the light, but not the glare. Ordinary sunglasses can reduce the total amount of light reaching your eyes but, like squinting, they don't eliminate the glare. A polarized lens filters out the glare by blocking all polarized light waves except those traveling in a specific orientation.
A polarized lens blocks horizontally polarized light with a polarizing film of molecules running in parallel vertical chains sandwiched between two optical lenses. These vertical chains block horizontal light waves, allowing only vertical light waves to pass through. Vertical light waves, commonly called "ambient light," are scattered evenly and don't produce glare. You can tell if a lens is polarized by rotating the glasses (or tilting your head when you are wearing them). You will find that they reduce glare better in some positions than others.
By blocking out only the polarized glare, the intensity of the light reaching your eyes is not reduced, so objects retain their definition and visual detail. This effect, combined with a tinted lens, makes it much easier to see and identify things both on and below the water like fish, buoys, skiers, wind zephyrs and underwater hazards.
Some manufacturers use polarized lenses to reduce glare on LCD instruments, fishfinders, etc. When viewed through sunglasses that are polarized differently than the instrument lens, no light is transmitted and the instrument face appears black. The only solution is to remove the glasses.
Visible light transmission and lens color
Lenses of different densities absorb different amounts of light. The amount of light passing through the lens is called visible light transmission, expressed as a percentage of total available light. For boating, visible light transmission should fall in the 15-30 percent range. On the brightest days, you want the lowest visible light transmission (darkest) lenses. Lenses are available in a bunch of different colors, and lens color is more than a fashion or attitude question. The technology behind the colors:
- Gray: a neutral all-purpose color that reduces glare, provides good contrast and no color distortion. Ideal for use on both water and land, especially for driving.
- Brown/amber: increases contrast in most light conditions. In addition to bright sun, amber offers excellent light management properties on cloudy or rainy days, and filters high-frequency near-UV light. Good for general purpose, high contrast light situations.
- Purple/rose: heightens visual acuity and enhances color (especially with objects against a blue or green background). Delivers brightest field of vision and is applicable for sight fishing, bass fishing, inshore fishing, sport shooting, extreme sports and skiing.
- Yellow: reduces the blue part of the spectrum. Blue light causes a scattering type of glare known as "blue haze." Best color for snow. Cuts through fog or haze, but has the worst distortion of colors.
- Green: offers enhanced visual acuity for specific light situations such as sight fishing, but is worn by many for everyday use.
Optically speaking, the flatter the lens, the less distortion. Curved lenses refract, or bend, the light rays as they pass through, so light doesn't enter your eye in a straight line. Your eyes are forced to work overtime to process and correct the visual information, which may cause eye fatigue and headaches. This distortion can be eliminated with corrected prismatics; check the label for distortion-free prismatics before purchasing curved sunglasses. Lenses of good sunglasses are complex, and are constructed from several layers. The inside has an antireflective coating to reduce "bounce-back" on the inside of the lens and a water-repellant coating to shed water and make cleaning easy. An ultraviolet coating protects your eyes from UVA and UVB radiation.
Lenses made of polycarbonate are extremely tough, yet lighter than glass, and can be made oversized to wrap around the face and block entry of light, wind and dirt from the sides, top and bottom. Polycarbonate lenses are impact-resistant and shatterproof, an important safety feature, especially for sailors, who may be at risk of being struck in the face. They naturally block 100 percent of the sun's harmful UV rays.
Trivex and Kaenon's similar proprietary SR-91 have been available for about the past ten years, with UV-blocking and shatterproofness similar to polycarbonate, but they are stronger, clearer and lighter, with better chromatic distortion performance (less distortion as you look away from the center of the lens). SR-91 has better scratch resistance than polycarbonate.
Optically ground glass lenses provide the best quality and vision and are more scratch resistant, but they are also heavier. A "compromise" lens material is CR-39, a plastic polymer with optics superior to polycarbonate, but with similar impact resistance and the best scratch resistance of all plastic lenses.
The best materials for boating sunglass frames are lightweight, flexible, durable materials such as nylon, propionate or acetate (also called zyl). Metal frames may be stylish, but they will quickly corrode to a ghastly green in a saltwater environment. Some manufacturers, such as Costa Del Mar, use corrosion-resistant monel in their frames.
Frame hardware is made with either strong, maintenance-free pressed-in pin hinges, or with spring hinges for a snug, comfortable fit. Frame hardware should be corrosion-proof. Most of the sunglasses we sell have corrosion-proof nickel-silver or stainless steel hardware.
Wire core sunglasses have heavy wire embedded in the temples and earpieces for maximum adjustability and shaping to achieve a custom fit.
Lenses can be waterproof coated to shed water and make cleaning easy, or mirror-coated to eliminate overhead and reflected glare at the front of the lens. According to one manufacturer, mirror coating provides more control over the transmission of specific wavelengths than lens color, so it can enhance the visual sharpness and contrast of the lens. Some lenses are also coated on the interior with an anti-reflective coating to reduce "bounce-back" on the inside of the lens.
- Aviator style glasses are droplet shaped and follow the contours of the cheek.
- Cateye glasses are relatively round lenses with a single nose bridge.
- Clip-ons are for use with prescription glasses, and can be flipped up instead of removed for normal vision indoors or in low light conditions.
- Double bridge glasses connect the lens frames in two places–over the nose and between the eyebrows.
- Fisherman style glasses have small side lenses to block light from entering outside the normal range of vision.
- Shield style glasses have a large, single piece visor-like lens that shields the upper face, a style that's very popular for snow sports.
- Wrap-around sunglasses are highly curved both horizontally and vertically to match the contours of the face. By hugging the face closely on all edges, wraparounds do a great job of blocking light and wind from entering at any angle. Other styles blend features of these basic styles. More important than style is fit. See below.
Getting a good fit
Sunglasses should fit the wearer's face, not only to look good, but so the optical center of the lenses roughly matches the wearer's center of focus to minimize distortion. The three basic measurements for sunglasses are lens size, temple length, and overall width. Glasses should fit snugly without pinching. Weight can also be a factor in correct fit; glasses that are too heavy on the nose can cause headaches. | <urn:uuid:8a3ca95a-975c-41dc-a300-b1360434105c> | {
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An Abbreviated History of Ultimate Compiled by Michael E. Iacovella
Ultimate, as with all disc sports, would not exist without the invention of the flying disc, or "Frisbee," as it is commonly known. The first known contemporary tossing of a "disc" was by Yale University (USA) undergrads in the early 20th century. The Yale campus was in close proximity to Connecticut's Frisbie Pie Company, whose pies while being a popular treat in themselves were sold in metal tins that would hold flight when thrown over a very short distance. The now-popular pastime of "tossing the disc" remained in obscurity until the invention of a plastic flying disc by Fred Morrison in 1948, which was much more durable and flight-worthy than anything made of wood or metal. This invention led to the first mass-produced disc, called the "Pluto Platter," made by the Wham-O toy company beginning in 1951. The year 1954 saw the first recorded competition using a flying disc when Dartmouth University (USA) students organized a tournament for the disc sport known as "Guts." A year after the Frisbie Pie Company's closing in 1958, Wham-O, based in California, USA, registered the name "Frisbee" as a name for its flying disc products. This trademark was reportedly the result of the predictable nickname that students at Yale and Harvard had given to the new toys.
The invention of Ultimate, also known as "Ultimate Frisbee," occurred within a year of the first mechanical patent on a flying disc, by Ed Headrick in 1966. Joel Silver and others at Columbia High School (CHS), Maplewood, NJ, USA, introduced their idea of an "ultimate" Frisbee game to the student council in 1967, and the first known game was played in 1968 between the student council and the staff of the school newspaper. The newspaper staff was victorious in a game where the only boundaries were the goal lines and other natural side boundaries (eg., railroad tracks, river, fence). The games continued the following year, with matches being played in the evening under the glow of the mercury-vapor lights in the school's new parking lot. The first and second edition rules were drawn up by CHS student Buzzy Hellring, and were later refined by Silver and John Hines. The very first interscholastic Ultimate game was played between CHS and Milburn High in 1970; CHS won, 43-10. The first conference of Ultimate teams was created in 1971, which consisted of five New Jersey high schools, including CHS and Milburn. Some ultimate-playing graduates of the league formed teams at their respective colleges and universities. On November 6, 1972, Rutgers University (NJ, USA) defeated Princeton (NJ, USA), 29-27, in the first intercollegiate game. [Note: The game was played exactly 103 years after the first intercollegiate American football game, on the same exact site, which had since been turned into a parking lot. The same team won by the same margin of victory.] Yale hosted the first Ultimate tournament (8 college teams in attendance) in 1975, which was won by Rutgers. That summer, Ultimate was introduced at the Second World Frisbee Championships at the Rose Bowl, aiding in the development of Ultimate on the West Coast of the USA.
Disc sports began to spread to Europe and Asia at about the same time, as is evident by the formation of the Swedish Frisbee Federation (SFF) in 1974, the Japanese Frisbee Disc Association in 1975, and the Australian FDA in 1976. Belgium and Austria each organized FDAs in 1977, with Finland's FDA and the Danish Frisbee Sport Union to follow in 1978. The Ultimate Players Association (UPA) was formed in 1979; Tom Kennedy was elected the first director. The UPA, the national governing body for the sport of Ultimate in the USA, was the first national, player-run US Ultimate organization. Prior to this juncture, events were sponsored and/or run by the International Frisbee Association (IFA), which was a former promotional arm of the Wham-O toy company. At the first UPA Nationals in 1979, Glassboro State College was victorious over the Santa Barbara Condors, 19-18. The first Ultimate European Championship was in Paris, France, in 1980; Finland, England and Sweden finished one, two, and three, respectively.
The World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF), the international governing body of all disc sports, was founded in 1984, a year after the close of the IFA [Note: at the IFA's closure, membership was reported to be 100,000 members in 30 countries]. Flying Circus (open), USA, Lady Condors (women), USA, and Sweden (juniors) win the first WFDF-sponsored World Ultimate Championships (for national teams) in Colchester, United Kingdom (1986). The first World Ultimate Club Championships (WUCC) was held in Cologne, Germany, in 1989. Philmore (open, USA) and Lady Condors (women, USA) win their respective divisions. Seven Sages (masters, USA) become the first international club Masters champions at Millfield, UK, in 1995, and Red Fish, Blue Fish is the first Mixed champion at St. Andrews, Scotland, in 1999. Currently, Ultimate is played by an estimated 100,000+ players in over 30 countries. The Ultimate Players Association (USA) reports an overall membership of 13,000+ dues-paying members. Membership in the UPA and other national organizations is growing yearly at a startling rate. Thirty-five years have elapsed since the first disc was tossed for a goal under the mercury-vapor lights of the Columbia High parking lot. As you bask in the warmth of the Hawaiian sun at the largest Ultimate tournament in history, reflect on the growth of a spectacular sport within which the deepest-seeded value is sportsmanship. | <urn:uuid:d7d196b7-1cd7-4558-bb1d-26fdc0596f70> | {
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Estimating child mortality due to diarrhoea in developing countries
Cynthia Boschi-Pinto a, Lana Velebit b, Kenji Shibuya c
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were adopted in 2000 with the aim of reducing the severe gaps between rich and poor populations. Most countries have endorsed Goal 4 of the MDGs to “reduce by two thirds [between 1990 and 2015] the mortality rate among children under-five”.1,2 Reliable information on the magnitude, patterns and trends of causes of death of children aged less than 5 years helps decision-makers to assess programmatic needs, prioritize interventions and monitor progress. It is also crucial for planning and evaluating effectiveness of health services and interventions. Yet, data are very scarce in low-income settings where they are most needed and estimations are necessary for these areas.
In the 1980s, Snyder and Merson3 generated one of the earliest attempts to estimate the worldwide burden of diarrhoeal diseases, demonstrating the substantial health onus due to diarrhoeal diseases on mortality among children aged less than 5 years. In the following decades, subsequent reviews updated these initial estimates using similar methods of assessment.4,5 These initial estimates were based on average values derived from a limited set of studies without taking into account the epidemiological variations across different regions. Responding to international demand and to the need for better evidence-based cause-specific mortality, the Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group (CHERG) – an independent group of technical experts jointly coordinated by WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) – was established in 2001. CHERG has undertaken a systematic, extensive and comprehensive literature review of published information and developed a methodological approach that is transparent and consistent across different diseases and conditions to produce estimates of the major causes of childhood deaths.6–10 This study is an essential part of the overall CHERG efforts. Its main objective is to provide estimates of deaths from diarrhoea in 2004 at all levels, mainly for countries with incomplete or non-existing civil registration data.
Common sources of data for cause-specific mortality include vital registration systems, sample registration systems, nationally representative household surveys, sentinel Demographic Surveillance Sites (DSS) or epidemiological studies of cause-specific mortality. In countries that account for 98% of under-5 deaths worldwide, there is very limited or virtually no functioning vital registration system in place to support attribution of causes of deaths.11–14 A sample registration system, which reports causes of death on a regular basis, is currently available only in China and its coverage and quality for under-5 deaths is challenging.15 Nationally representative household surveys such as Demographic Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF’s Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) do not usually report on causes of death, and DSS data were not available until very recently.16 Epidemiological studies currently constitute the main source of data available and were therefore used in this review for estimating diarrhoea-specific mortality.
Studies included in the analysis were identified through a systematic search of the scientific literature published since 1980. Medline was searched using the terms: “developing countries”, “mortality/death”, different spellings of “diarrhoea” and combinations of these terms. No restriction was placed on publication language.
The search identified a total of 804 papers of which 207 were kept for review of abstracts. The reference sections of the studies retrieved were reviewed to identify additional papers. Studies were then assessed to ensure that they met the main inclusion criteria: (i) direct or derivable diarrhoea-specific proportional mortality data; (ii) a minimum of 25 total deaths; (iii) a maximum of 25% of unknown or undetermined causes of death; (iv) community-based studies with at least 1 year of follow-up; and (v) follow-up time multiple of 12 months to minimize seasonal effects. Data were abstracted onto standardized paper forms by two independent abstractors, double-entered into an electronic database, and validated. Table 1 (available at: http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/86/9/07-050054/en/index.html) summarizes the main characteristics of the studies retained for the final analysis.
Adjustment of age groups
As not all studies reported on age ranges that were suitable for immediate inclusion in the analysis, we developed and applied a correction algorithm to adjust for age groups. By doing so, all data referred to the same age group (0–59 months), allowing for the inclusion of a greater number of studies in the analysis.
Proportional mortality model
A traditional approach to estimating cause-specific mortality is to model mortality rates. Instead, we have decided to model proportional mortality as this is the measure of interest when assessing causes of death by country. Moreover, as the WHO process for estimating causes of death is based on the estimation of under-5 mortality level, followed by the allocation of the causes of under-5 mortality,6 proportional mortality is a more pertinent outcome that can be used in the completion of the estimation process.
We employed a weighted regression model to assess the relationship between the observed proportion of deaths from diarrhoea and potential explanatory variables, in an approach similar to those previously used for estimating proportion of deaths from pneumonia.6,10,17
Covariates included in the final model were those available from the studies selected, so that the model could reflect the relationship more accurately than in the conventional approach of using national averages. The variables included were: under-5 all-cause mortality and dummy variables for mid-year of study and for nine WHO subregions.18
All-cause under-5 mortality was obtained for the same (or comparable) site from which the proportional diarrhoea mortality information was derived, as follows: (i) directly abstracted or calculated from available data in the study (30 studies); (ii) obtained from the authors when not possible to calculate from published data (three studies); (iii) obtained from DHS data (11 studies); or (iv) obtained using a method similar to that used for the adjustment of age groups (three studies). As under-5 mortality rates were reported in different measures (rates, risks or ratios) in the publications, we have transformed those provided as mortality rates (5m0) into a single metric – the probability (risk) of a child dying before reaching the age of 5 years (5q0).
WHO subregions are defined on the basis of levels of child and adult mortality: A, very low child and very low adult mortality; B, low child and low adult mortality; C, low child and high adult mortality; D, high child and high adult mortality; E, high child and very high adult mortality.18 The nine low- and middle-income subregions included in the model are: African Region (AFR) D and E; Region of the Americas (AMR) B and D; South-East Asia Region (SEAR) B and D, Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) B and D and Western Pacific Region (WPR) B.
Other potentially important variables considered for inclusion in the model, such as coverage of oral rehydration therapy, access to clean water, and health system indicators, were only available for a very limited number of studies at site level and thus could not be incorporated in the model.
The regression coefficients obtained from the final model were used to predict the proportion of deaths from diarrhoea at country level by using national information on under-5 mortality in 2004 and data for the corresponding subregion. The number of deaths from diarrhoea in the year 2004 was estimated by applying the model-predicted diarrhoea-proportional mortality to the number of under-5 deaths in each country. These were then aggregated to provide subregional, regional, and global (low- and middle-income countries) estimates. Detailed information on the estimates of all-cause under-5 deaths can be found elsewhere.19
Uncertainty estimates were generated using the standard errors obtained from the prediction model and running 10 000 Monte Carlo simulations.
Of the 68 studies that met the inclusion criteria, 47 were kept in the analysis because they provided data that enabled us to either abstract or calculate site-specific under-5 mortality rates (Table 1).
Seven studies presented data for more than one point in time, and one study provided data for different study populations, adding up to 56 data points and representing a total of 210 000 all-cause deaths and 33 500 diarrhoea deaths. Three data points were from nationally representative studies, seven from studies carried out in urban settings and 43 (77%) from those carried out in rural areas. This distribution compares well with that of the rural and urban populations in the countries studied.
Fig. 1 shows the location of the 47 studies retained from the literature search, revealing the regional distribution of study sites as follows: 23 data points (41%) in AFR, 17 (30%) in SEAR, and 12 (21%) in AMR. There were very few studies or information available from EMR or WPR. The scarcity of information in these two regions is a fact, not only for diarrhoea mortality, but for other diseases and conditions as well.8,13
Fig. 1. Distribution of epidemiological studies used in the analysis
Studies were distributed around an average mid-surveillance year of 1990. Two studies were carried out in the 1970s. As for the remaining 54 data points, the mid-year of data collection was between 1980 and 1984 for 14 observations, between 1985 and 1989 for 26 observations and between 1990 and 1994 for 13 observations. Only one study was completely carried out after 1995. In recent years, low-mortality studies were seen more than high-mortality studies, reflecting the secular downward trend in child mortality that has been accompanied by a decrease in the proportion of deaths due to diarrhoea. The age-adjusted (0–59 months) diarrhoea-proportional mortality ranged from 4.6% in Brazil in 199720 to 47.7% in Egypt in 1980.21
The final regression model was (standard errors in brackets): logit(% diarrhoea deaths) = 5.31 +
2.01(time) + 8.56(subregion)
[3.67, 1.02, 0.97, 1.92]
where ln5q0 is the natural logarithm of the risk of dying between birth and 5 years in the study site, time is a dummy variable for mid-year of study (1 for 1990 and after, 0 for before 1990) and subregion is a dummy variable for WHO subregions (1 for SEAR B and D combined, 0 for the other subregions). The goodness-of-fit was satisfactory, as reflected by the R² of 0.60. There was no systematic deviation among the residual.
A simple validation technique that is commonly used is to compare the model outputs with empirical data other than those used in the model. We searched the latest data from DHS and other nationally representative surveys in which verbal autopsy was used to obtain information on causes of death among children aged less than 5 years. We have identified three recently published surveys with available information from Bangladesh (DHS 2005),22 Cambodia (DHS 2005)23 and Liberia (Food Security and Nutritional Survey 2006).24 The difference in cause categories made direct comparison difficult, particularly for Bangladesh and Cambodia. The only comparable data set was that from Liberia where the model-based estimate and empirically observed figure for the proportion of diarrhoea deaths were 15.9% (95% CI: 12.4–19.3) and 16.1%, respectively. This is not sufficient to validate the entire set of extrapolations but it does illustrate the performance of our method in countries where a vital registration system does not exist or is incomplete.
Subregional, regional and global estimates
Estimates of diarrhoea-proportional mortality for nine low-and middle-income WHO subregions are shown in Table 2, together with point estimates of the number of deaths due to diarrhoea and corresponding uncertainty ranges. The model-based global point estimate of 1.87 million (uncertainty range: 1.56–2.19) diarrhoea deaths corresponds to nearly 19% of the 10 million under-5 deaths that occurred in the world in 2004.14 AFR and SEAR assemble together 78% (1.46 million) of all diarrhoea deaths occurring in the developing world (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2. Distribution of deaths due to diarrhoea in low- and middle-income countries in 5 WHO regions
SEAR D suffers the highest average burden of diarrhoea-proportional mortality (25%) as well as highest numbers of death (651 000 diarrhoea deaths). It follows AFR D (402 000 deaths), AFR E (365 000 deaths), and EMR D (221 000). In SEAR B, AFR D, and AFR E, the median of diarrhoea-proportional mortality is around 17%. The lowest proportions and numbers of death were observed in the low child mortality region of the Americas (AMR B) and in EMR B.
Table 2. Estimates of diarrhoea deaths among children aged less than 5 years in low- and middle-income regions of the world, 2004
Table 3 shows the top 15 countries ranked according to the number of under-5 deaths due to diarrhoeal diseases. These 15 countries account for 73% of all under-5 diarrhoeal deaths occurring worldwide. India alone is responsible for more than half a million diarrhoeal deaths.
Table 3. Countries accounting for three-quarters of deaths due to diarrhoea in the developing regions of the world, 2004
Despite several attempts to estimate mortality from diarrhoea over the past decades and in recent years, the uncertainty surrounding its current level remains quite high. This occurs partly because of the lack in quality and number of available data and partly because of the lack of consistency in methods. We systematically reviewed studies that provided child cause-specific mortality published since 1980 and employed a rigorous and transparent approach to estimate current country, regional, and global diarrhoea mortality.
Two recent studies presented global estimates of child deaths due to diarrhoea that were equal to 2.5 million5 and 2.1 million.25 A third review has estimated that 22% of all deaths among under-5s in sub-Saharan Africa and 23% in south Asia were caused by diarrhoeal diseases in the year 2000.8
The point estimate in our study resulted in 1.87 million deaths with an uncertainty range of 1.56 and 2.19 million deaths. These results are slightly lower than those calculated in the three other recent reviews. The main reasons for the differences encountered between this study and those by Kosek et al.5 and Parashar et al.25 are most probably due to the different data and methods employed.
In the present study, we performed a thorough literature review and took advantage of best available data to adjust for age, time, all-cause under-5 mortality, and regional mortality strata. Our approach has four major advantages when compared to earlier estimates. First, the method used here is transparent with all data sources available on the web. In addition, it is consistent with the CHERG systematic review protocol and comparable to the method used across different causes of under-5 deaths.6–10 Second, the adjustment for age groups had not been previously used in the estimation of deaths from diarrhoea and has enabled the inclusion of a larger number of data points in the analysis. Third, our study did not assume that the locations where studies were carried out were representative of the whole country. The use of local covariates to relate to proportional diarrhoea mortality and the use of national level variables to extrapolate estimates to national levels is intended to provide a correction for this common biased assumption. Finally, our approach enables estimation of diarrhoea mortality at country level, not just of regional averages.
The method employed in our study is closer to that used by Morris et al.,8 also developed within CHERG.One of the possible reasons for the somewhat lower estimates calculated in our analysis are the different sources of data. We have included 57 data points in our analysis as opposed to the 38 included in the review by Morris et al., mostly from sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia. In our review, there is a larger number of studies from the Americas, where the proportions of deaths due to diarrhoea are lower than in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia. Other likely reasons for the differences are the different covariates included for modelling and the different models employed, which have diverse assumptions and statistical properties. It is worth noting that the multicause model has also provided higher estimates for the proportion of malaria deaths in sub-Saharan Africa (24%) than the 18% estimated by the single-cause model proposed by Rowe et al.9 Besides, the all-cause model has not taken into account the high proportion of HIV mortality in the AFR E subregion. It is likely that this may have resulted in an overestimation of the proportion of the other causes of death.
There are some limitations intrinsic to the type of review and meta-analysis used in our assessment. Locations where special population studies are conducted are rarely representative of the entire countries as they are usually carried out in populations that are either easy to access or have atypical mortality patterns. However, using local variables in the model and national level variables to predict country estimates should account, at least in part, for this potential site bias.
The inclusion of mid-year of study in the model could be seen as reflecting both time and place of study as studies conducted in different years could also be from different places. Yet, time distribution of the studies within each region is very similar. Furthermore, the use of a dichotomous dummy variable for controlling for time in the regression model makes them equivalent for all countries.
Our estimates, as well as those obtained from other reviews, rely on published epidemiological studies that used mostly verbal autopsy methods in their assessment of causes of death. Consequently, they have limitations that are inherent to this type of data such as misclassification of causes of death due to imperfect sensitivity and specificity of the instrument. Misclassification of causes of death is likely to be random; therefore it does not necessarily imply that the distribution of these causes will be biased. We have not attempted to correct for the possible measurement errors introduced by the use of verbal autopsy26,27 because there was not enough site-specific information from validation studies to enable an adequate adjustment.27
It is also worth noting that most (68%) of the data used in this review refer to studies that were carried out between the late 1980s and early 1990s and that the latest mid-year of observation was 1997. This represents a lag time of almost 10 years. Currently, available data are unable to capture possible recent changes in diarrhoea mortality either due to changes in interventions, their coverage, or new emerging diseases and competing causes of death, with the exception of HIV/AIDS which is captured by the use of subregional levels of mortality.
Public health implications
Estimates obtained here can be used as the starting point for the monitoring of cause of death at country, regional and global levels in the future. Clearly, such estimates do not replace empirical data. Nevertheless, they are an invaluable tool for guiding decision-making and prioritizing interventions in child health strategies and planning in countries where vital registration or other sources of community-based data on causes of death are not available. Importantly, such an estimation process is exceptionally useful for identifying gaps in information and for developing approaches to tackling data problems.
Information on causes of death for children aged less than 5 years has not increased significantly since the late 1980s. The lack of systems able to generate representative quality data on a regular basis is one of the major obstacles for international and national planning to reduce under-5 mortality. By providing best possible estimates of the distribution of causes of death, CHERG methods have proven to be a transient alternative to countries without adequate information. The main CHERG standards for estimating the burden of mortality, used in this review include: (i) thorough literature search; (ii) data abstraction exercise performed by two independent data abstractors and with two independent data entries; (iii) very strict inclusion and exclusion criteria; and (iv) use of local covariates to predict national estimates. We strongly believe that these rigorous criteria ensured that inputs for the current estimates consisted of the most valid information available and that the modelling of local variables to predict national estimates was performed using an innovative and best possible approach. Results presented here should thus allow settings without adequate information to draw a reasonable picture of the burden of under-5 diarrhoea mortality that should ultimately result in practical planning for the prioritization of interventions and decision-making. ■
This work was done through CHERG, coordinated by the Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development and supported by the Department of Measurement and Health Information Systems of WHO. We thank Bob Black and members of CHERG for their critical review of the methods. We thank Colin Mathers, Doris Ma Fat and Mie Inoue for providing data related to the WHO mortality database. We also thank Cesar Victora and Bernardo Horta for providing additional data from their cohort study.
Funding: The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation provided financial support for the work of CHERG.
Competing interests: None declared.
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- TB/HIV and Drug Resistance, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland.
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Ask the experts and many of them will tell you the same thing: the single-serve coffee category is hotter than freshly brewed java. Fueled by convenience, the time-saving system that lets users prepare drinks by the cup is gaining popularity worldwide. Yet, since their inception, single-serve cups and capsules have had to dodge the criticism that they’re inherently bad for the environment.
Since single-serve capsules are discarded after each use, the brewing method is not as green as preparing drinks with ground coffee or espresso. And, we’re talking about a lot of cups and capsules. According to the National Coffee Association, single-serve coffee is the fastest-growing sector of the home market, as well as the second most popular brewing method after conventional drip coffee makers.
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According to the study, even though the end-of-life cycle -- when a K-Cup is used and discarded -- is the most visible, it actually only accounts for only 5% of the potential global warming output. Nevertheless, GMCR has put together a program to allow workplace customers in the contiguous U.S. to collect and return spent K-Cups for composting and energy from waste processing. The Grounds to Grow On program is estimated to have recovered 4.1 million K-Cup packs and composted over 85,000 pounds of ground coffee in the same year. The plastic from spent K-Cups saved approximately 139 kilowatt hours.
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At Nespresso, the talk centers around recycling as well as developing more sustainable aluminum for their single-serve capsules. In the U.S., the company has capsule collection systems in place in cities with Nespresso boutiques including: New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Nespresso has also launched the AluCycle, partnering with mining, refining, retrieval, recycling organizations to improve the sustainability of aluminum. The company has also teamed up with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to promote environmentally sound aluminum practices.
Taking its commitment one step further, Nespresso has equipped some of its single-serve machines with an ECO button, which will automatically turn the machine off after 30 minutes of inactivity to conserve energy. The feature is available on the latest generation of the CitiZ machines. As an added bonus, purchase any Nespresso single-serve machine over $199 from now until June 17, 2013 and you can register for a $50 Nespresso Club credit good for free capsules.
Illy iperEspresso fans can take heart in knowing that their capsules are made from recycled plastic. The company is working on a method to allow consumers to open, clean, and recycle their capsules.
While single-serve systems may not be as eco-friendly as other more traditional brewing methods, the leading manufacturers are taking notes and continually making improvements to their products. Don’t write them off just yet.
Like heirlooms, treasured recipes get passed down from generation to generation, building memories at every turn. In celebration of Mother’s Day, we’re asking you to share your family’s favorite coffee or espresso-related recipe for a chance to win a Keurig B31 Mini Plus in Platinum, a box of Green Mountain Nantucket Blend K-Cups, two Whole Latte Love Latte Cups.
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Anyone with a college experience similar to mine will be in for a number of late nights and early mornings. Now, whether you’re in a dorm, or in an apartment, getting that first cup of coffee can be essential to keeping you alert and productive for the rest of the day. I know that time and money are kind of a big deal for most college students, and I know you’re going to want to find a fast and affordable source of coffee. Don’t worry; we’re here to help.
When it comes to quick, convenient coffee, single-serve machines work very well. No mess, no hassle, and you never need to worry about brewing too much. If you’re worried about price, don’t be. We have a number of affordable single serve options like the Keurig B31 Mini Plus, and if you do go with a Keurig, you might want to check out the My K-Cup Filter Basket, an innovative accessory that allows you to use your own pre-ground coffee in your machine in addition to K-Cups.
While a single serve machine is likely to become a much worshiped and permanent fixture in your place of residence, necessity will sometimes require that your coffee be mobile and when that’s the case, few things work better than the Bodum French Press Travel Set. Not only is it an actual French press for brewing coffee, it’s a stainless steel mug that you can take anywhere, how’s that for dual functionality?
Now the coffee. It’s true that you could go to any local grocery store and probably find some super cheap drip with remarkably clever names like “Brewer’s Choice” or “Happy Mountain Coffee,” and sure it’s kitschy and character building. But, when you don’t feel like drinking something that tastes like diesel fuel every morning, that’s when you check out our coffee instead. Even without a really expensive machine, good coffee is still good coffee.
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No matter where you go, or what your major may be, remember that back to school doesn’t have to mean back to bad coffee!
It's summertime and the living's easy, shouldn't your coffee be simple too? Simplicity is the name of the game with Keurig and we're happy to introduce some new K-Cups this season to keep you caffeinated with minimal hassle. These K-Cups are compatible with all Keurig machines, the Breville BKC700XL as well as the Cuisinart SS-700.
Fans of celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, whose restaurants, shows and cookbooks have been American staples since the 80s, can now enjoy his original coffee creations at home. Keurig has partnered with Puck to offer two memorable K-Cups, Breakfast in Bed and Jamaica Me Crazy. For a traditional cup of Joe that's anything but ordinary, try Wolfgang Puck Breakfast in Bed. This medium-roast, single-serve coffee is well balanced and smooth, making it perfect for those laid-back summer days. If you're dreaming of a tropical getaway, on the other hand, Jamaica Me Crazy may the perfect ticket. This flavored coffee puts an island twist on regular java. It is distinguished by a remarkable coconut flavor and pleasing aromas.
Not to be outdone, Timothy's and Gloria Jean's Coffees have flavored K-Cups of their own. The first is the exotic Timothy's Kahlua Orginal K-Cups. This light-roast Arabica coffee sets itself apart with enticing flavors of rum, caramel and vanilla. Timothy's Kahlua K-Cups are great for late afternoon drinks or entertaining guests, as the flavors beg to be savored. For more conventional fare, try Gloria Jean's Cappuccino Coffee K-Cups. This is a creamy, medium-roast flavored coffee with cinnamon-y undertones. It has a well-rounded body and balanced acidity. The Kahlua and Cappuccino K-Cups are both certified Kosher.
If you just need a quick jolt to keep you going during the dog days of summer, Keurig's new Revv Coffee K-Cups promises to deliver just that. Said to capture “energy in its purest form,” Revv is a striking dark coffee that is undeniably bold. Since it was launched, the Revv blend has been praised by countless customers for being smooth and never bitter. The new Green Mountain Extra Bold Espresso Blend is also another great option for fans of strong coffee. It's a dark-roast blend of certified organic and fair trade coffee. Green Mountain Extra Bold Espresso presents a nice palate consisting of chocolate and vanilla flavors accented by a smoky, fruity undertone.
All of Keurig's new K-Cups are available in boxes of 18. But, if you find a flavor that's to your liking, make sure you stock up as they have a very good chance of selling out! No matter if you're brewing at home or looking for a single-serve coffee solution for the office, K-Cups are a great value and offer the convenience of truly hassle-free beverages.
If you're tired of the same old drinks, break out of the rut with a creative latte. This month's recipe is perfect for the adventurous latte lovers out there.
In a tall 16oz glass, combine the espresso, syrup and milk. Stir the contents and add ice. Garnish with whipped cream, if desired, and enjoy!
With St. Patrick's Day right around the corner, may the luck...and drinks, of the Irish be with you. Given the upcoming festivities, now is as good a time as any to take a look at the history of one of the most (in)famous, drinks in the world—the Irish Coffee.
In true Celtic fashion, think Leprechauns and pots of gold, the origins of the Irish Coffee begins with a local folklore...Legend has it that the drink was invented in a cafe at the now-defunct Foynes Airport. In 1943, on a particularly nasty winter evening, a flight bound for Botwood, Newfoundland made the critical decision to return to Foynes after several hours in the air. Consider that 1943 was during WWII and commercial air travel was really in its infancy—think well-heeled men and women on a flying-boat voyage. The circumstances of the diverted flight were trying at best and left passengers a little bit more than peeved.
Upon making the decision to head back to Foynes, the captain reportedly sent a Morse-code message to the control tower, alerting ground operations personnel of the impending return. At the terminal, preparations were made to welcome back the crew and passengers. I know, you're skeptical already; but keep in mind, this was the 1940s...flying was a glitzy affair.
Back to the regularly scheduled story...Head chef Joe Sheridan of the airport restaurant was hastily asked to make something to warm the passengers and lift their spirits. He decided to...well...add a little spirit to their drinks. After all what could keep you warmer and happier than a hot coffee and some good old Irish whiskey? As the night progressed and everybody had been served, one of the passengers approached Sheridan to thank him for the hospitality. Making small talk, the passenger asked if Brazilian coffee had been used to prepare the drink...To which Sheridan responded "No, that was Irish Coffee." The rest is history.
From that night forward, Irish Coffee was served to all passengers going through Foynes Airport. The tradition continues to this day; dignitaries arriving at Shannon Airport are still welcomed with a warm cup of Irish Coffee. Want to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in style? Try this authentic Irish Coffee Recipe:
Joe Sheridan's Original Irish Coffee
Preheat an Irish Coffee Mug using hot water. Try our Stout, Classic or Pedestal version of the mug. Pour freshly brewed coffee into the mug; add sugar and whiskey. Top with cream.
The Keurig B70 K-Cup Brewer is quick, easy, and efficient with a number of programmable features. It will let you make a fresh drink every time, instead of having to brew a full pot of coffee when you really only want one cup. Be sure to read my blogs to find out why I’m so passionate about this machine.
The first coffee was rumored to have been consumed in Ethiopia around 850 AD. Today, other than water, coffee is the most widely consumed beverage in the world. Over 400 billion cups are consumed every year. Thirty-five percent of the world’s coffee is consumed in the United States. The coffee industry employs over 25 million people.
Here is a quick look at the inventions that have made coffee consumption so popular:
Today, many manufactures use single-serve options for brewing coffee that have filters built in. Popular brands include: Nespresso, Illy, Gaggia, Keurig and Tassimo, to name a few. The average American can create the desired drink in seconds, with the perfect amount of coffee, temperature and no cleanup. The development of single-serve systems can trace its roots back to the humble paper filter.
Many single serve options, consists of a “filter” that contains an exact amount of coffee, ground specifically to create a unique coffee drink. The packaging prevents oxygen, light and moisture from degrading the coffee. Each cup of coffee produced is of the highest quality and freshness. Several well-known coffee roasters, such as Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, have created branded single-serve coffee options.Illy and the iperEspresso System
Illy has evolved into a world renowned manufacturer of coffee. Illy coffee is available in medium or dark roasts; regular or decaffeinated; whole bean, fine and medium grinds; as well as E.S.E. (Easy Serving Espresso) pods and iperEspresso capsules.
Illy’s introduction of the iperEspresso System has revolutionized the preparation of espresso. This patented two-part process replaces the traditional manner in which espresso was extracted. In the first stage called “iper-infusion,” hot water under high pressure creates optimal brewing conditions within the iperChamber to enhance the extraction of coffee flavor and aroma and increase its richness and complexity. In the second stage, “emulsification,” coffee is forced through the patented e-valve at the bottom of the capsule, mixing with air to produce a velvety, long-lived crema. Illy’s iperEspresso capsules are compatible with the FrancisFrancis X7 and Gaggia for Illy Single-Serve Espresso Machines.The Modern Espresso Machine
he modern-day espresso machine was created by Gaggia in 1946. It has experienced subtle changes since its inception. The technology and use of commercial components have not changed. Consumers who want to achieve an authentic espresso or milk-based drink from home are rarely disappointed. The machines offer the option to use ground coffee or pods. Recently, Gaggia introduced a new pressurized portafilter basket that takes the guesswork out of creating perfect crema. This filter basket is compatible with all the semi-automatic Gaggia Espresso machines currently on the market. Additionally, the popular Gaggia Baby series introduced a new model that has dual boilers, perfect for temperature stability and creating milk based drinks with ease.
As you can see several inventions, introduced to coffee drinkers over 75 years ago, still have an impact on how we enjoy this beverage. It will be exciting to see how the coffee drinking experience continues to evolve in the next decade.Tracy
I always thought that my street was pretty liberal and open-minded; but based on the faces and reactions, you would think that she had just opened the liquor cabinet and poured herself a double.
The fact of the matter is, despite the preconceived ideas that my friends might have had, the benefits of coffee, in moderation, for children are proven. Research by Dr. Tomas DePaulis at Vanderbilt University's Institute for Coffee Studies has actually shown that children who drink coffee are much more alert; show a marked boost in concentration, and may do better on school tests. Studies have also shown that coffee has helped children with Attention Deficit Disorder stay more focused and on-task.
Dr. DePaulis shared his research and discussed childhood depression with WebMD. In the interview he said, "There recently was a study from Brazil finding that children who drink coffee with milk each day are less likely to have depression than other children, in fact, no studies show that coffee in reasonable amounts is, in any way, harmful to children."
Just as an end note, Jordan has never missed being on the Honor Roll and she is as happy as a 15-year-girl could be.
What is the youngest age that you think children should start drinking coffee?
How have your kids reacted when they have had coffee to drink? | <urn:uuid:92cd0c12-698e-41a7-88de-8d6ff2694bda> | {
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As concern over global warming intensified over the past few years, biofuels derived from food crops quickly emerged as a practical answer to the energy crisis. Adding corn ethanol to gasoline or using palm oil for biodiesel makes the fuel burn more cleanly, stretches oil supplies, and perhaps most attractive to some politicians, provides a nice boost to big agribusiness. In Europe and in the US, increasing biofuels was mandated by law.
Fortunately the rush to biofuels production has slowed because of a number of well-documented negative side effects. Biofuels production contributed to a global food shortage and a rise in food prices as farmers sold off their crops to ethanol or biodiesel producers. Deforestation increased in tropical wilderness areas as countries such as Brazil and Indonesia cleared rainforest to make room for biofuels such as soybeans, leading to large losses in biodiversity. Deforestation also increased greenhouse gas emissions, as carbon stored in those forests was released into the atmosphere, offsetting gains from biofuel use and contributing to global warming.
In the US, agricultural run-off increased as millions of acres of farmland were brought into production, creating one of the biggest ever dead-zones in the Gulf of Mexico as fertilizers made their way down the Mississippi. Much of the farmlands returned to production were lands previously placed in highly successful, federally funded conservation programs…including some of our last wild prairie lands. With remarkable lack of foresight, some members of Congress have suggested removing even more lands from these programs.
The decreased fuel efficiency of vehicles using ethanol – some drivers are also saying ethanol fuels makes their engines sputter – combined with the energy and fertilizer intensive process for producing crop-based biofuels, further combined with serious biodiversity and food supply impacts, all make it clear that biofuels produced from crops are not a solution. Another perverse effect has been that ethanol subsidies driven up the price of corn, slashing profit margins, and making corn-based ethanol production in the US have viable only for some of the larger food producers – the very same large industrial agribusiness companies that drove the rush to ethanol in the first place…
Biofuels hold significant promise if they are produced in a way that takes their entire life-cycle into account, from production to indirect impacts such as loss of wilderness areas, and especially if they can be generated using non-food crop sources. Cellulosic ethanol, produced from switchgrass or biowastes has higher cellulose content and is available in abundant quantities without growing crops. Cellulosic ethanol could therefore be a far more efficient and environmentally friendly biofuel alternative, pending investments in the necessary technology and infrastructure.
Luckily we‘re now witnessing the first retreat on crop-based biofuel production as politicians are finally forced to admit that crop-based biofuels are hugely problematic. The European Union Parliament’s Environment Committee recently voted unanimously to reduce mandated biofuel targets, though only Parliament can make this decision final. In the U.S., the State of Texas is asking the Environmental Protection Agency for a waiver to temporarily reduce ethanol production. As with the EU, EPA has not yet decided what to do. With a little luck, common sense will prevail, and the result will be a stronger food supply, better economic policy, and more wild nature.
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Comments are the sole responsibility of their authors. WILD is not responsible, nor will be held liable, for blog comments. WILD reserves the right to delete any comment that is abusive, profane, rude, or considered spam. | <urn:uuid:5cb65193-4b09-49b1-9887-9405648d342b> | {
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Sail through the Beagle and Murray Channels to disembark in Cape Horn National Park. Cape Horn, a sheer, almost 425-meter-high promontory where the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean merge, was discovered in 1616 by the Dutch commercial expedition organized by Isaac Le Maire. The Cape owes its name to the Port of Hoorn, the expedition’s departure point. In the afternoon, will disembark at historic Wulaia Bay, once the site of the largest Yamana aboriginal settlements. Charles Darwin landed here in 1833 and you'll walk through the beautiful native vegetation to a lookout point. This evening, the Captain invites us to our Farewell Dinner as we prepare to sail for Ushuaia, Argentina. Overnight onboard.
*Note that the landing at Cape Horn National Park is weather permitting only. | <urn:uuid:2c6d3242-b931-48c3-b97b-044a019f0af4> | {
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Short description The Encyclopedia of Peace Psychology, available online or as a three-volume print set, features nearly 300 entries from international scholars that examine the psychological dimensions of peace and conflict studies. Entries provide key concepts, methods, and practices that define peace psychology in the twenty-first century. An invaluable resource for deepening our understanding of the contributions of psychology to peace, it also offers insights into constructive ways in which psychology can be applied by private citizens and policy makers for the promotion of peace and social justice around the world.
From the contents Topics Covered
Activism Aggression Biological perspective Children Civil society Cognition Conflict Conflict management Contact theory Coping Critical perspective Culture Decision-making Drama theory Dynamical systems theory Education Emotion Empathy Ethics Forgiveness Gender Global issues Group processes Human rights Ideology Indigenous peacemaking Influence processes Intergroup relations International relations Intervention methods Levels of analysis Liberation psychology Media Military Moral Nonviolence Obedience Peace psychology Peace studies Personality Political psychology Positioning theory Prejudice Reconciliation Refugees Research methods Resilience Social identity theory Social justice Social psychology Social representations Spirituality Stereotype Terrorism Threat Trauma Violence | <urn:uuid:28261850-6a99-41e4-881e-3178c78b3c71> | {
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Where are we now? Climate "Today"
Before we move on to projections of future state of our planet's climate, let's take a few looks at the current state of Earth's climate.
These graphs show how carbon emissions, atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, and global average temperatures have changed in recent times.
This image shows sea surface temperatures (SST) averaged over a whole year (in this case, 2001). Notice how temperatures range from freezing (0° C or 32° F) near the poles to around 30° C (about 86° F) in the tropics.
Credits: Image courtesy of Plumbago via Wikipedia, using data from the World Ocean Atlas 2001.
Here is Earth's surface air temperature in recent times. This image shows average temperatures for the period from 1961 to 1990.
Credits: Image courtesy of Robert A. Rhohde and the Global Warming Art project.
Average Global Temperature 1940-2005
| All values are in comparison to 1940-1980 average (green shading). Map at left shows 1995-2005 averages (the orange shaded region on the graph above). Blue points and lines on the graph are annual values; the red line is the 5-year smoothed average.
This map (above) shows recent changes in Earth's surface air temperatures. The colors indicate the temperatures in the decade around 2000 as compared to average values from about 40 years earlier. Specifically, the colors compare average temperatures during the years 1995 through 2004 versus the averages from 1940 through 1980. The global averge temperature increased about 0.42° C during this time.
Credits: Map image courtesy of Robert A. Rohde and the Global Warming Art project. Graph is original artwork by Windows to the Universe staff (Randy Russell) using data from NOAA.
Use the popup menu in the upper left corner of the interactive below to select a map to view. Choices include contemporary global surface air temperature and sea surface temperature, changes in temperature by 2000, and four climate model projections for possible future climate in 2025 and 2095.
Compare maps side-by-side using the viewer below.
Shop Windows to the Universe Science Store!Cool It!
is the new card game from the Union of Concerned Scientists that teaches kids about the choices we have when it comes to climate change—and how policy and technology decisions made today will matter. Cool It! is available in our online store
You might also be interested in:
Leaders from 192 nations of the world are trying to make an agreement about how to limit emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases, mitigate climate change, and adapt to changing environmental conditions....more
Climate in your place on the globe is called regional climate. It is the average weather pattern in a place over more than thirty years, including the variations in seasons. To describe the regional climate...more
Less than 1% of the gases in Earth's atmosphere are called greenhouse gases. Even though they are not very abundant, these greenhouse gases have a major effect. Carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor (H2O),...more
Television weather forecasts in the space age routinely feature satellite views of cloud cover. Cameras and other instruments on spacecraft provide many types of valuable data about Earth's atmosphere...more
Predicting how our climate will change in the next century or beyond requires tools for assessing how planet responds to change. Global climate models, which are run on some of the world's fastest supercomputers,...more
The world's surface air temperature increased an average of 0.6° Celsius (1.1°F) during the last century according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This may not sound like very...more
A factor that has an affect on climate is called a “forcing.” Some forcings, like volcanic eruptions and changes in the amount of solar energy, are natural. Others, like the addition of greenhouse gases...more | <urn:uuid:6b4aa9b9-1d46-4bb5-b28c-db5733d68d6b> | {
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Aug. 3, 1492: Columbus Sets Out to Discover … a Trade Route
1492: Christopher Columbus, sailing for the Spanish crown, weighs anchor for the New World.
From his flagship Santa Maria, Columbus commanded a squadron that included the caravels Niña and Pinta. The original purpose of the voyage was not to discover new lands but to open up a trade route to the "Indies" or Asia, that would allow Spanish merchantmen to bypass the hostile Muslim fleets sailing out of the Middle East.
Columbus tried to interest the Portuguese in his scheme, but they took a pass. He would have been spurned by Spain, too, had that nation’s centuries-long war with the Moors been going badly. Fortunately for Columbus, the Spaniards were winning handily, and victory was in sight.
When the last Moorish stronghold fell at Granada, Spain was feeling expansive. And Columbus, the sailor from Genoa, was ready and waiting.
He never did find that alternate route around the Muslims, but on Oct. 12, 1492 Columbus made landfall in what is today the Bahamas, and the course of history was changed forever.
Although it’s long been known that other outsiders reached North America well before Columbus, his landfall remains the most significant, for good and ill. It opened up the sea lanes to the first permanent back-and-forth traffic of Europeans, their armies, their priests and their commerce.
Image: Chromolithograph depicts Columbus claiming possession of the New World. (Prang Education, 1893)
This article first appeared on Wired.com Aug. 3, 2007. | <urn:uuid:788d0f3d-cc20-4c4c-9c6f-9e735b4c9835> | {
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Term: The Upper Mississippi (Historic Marker Erected 1980)
Rest Area, Tourist Info Center No. 31, I-90, French Island, LaCrosse, La Crosse County
From Lake Itasca, Minnesota, to Cairo, Illinois, the upper Mississippi River flows through America's heartland for over 1100 miles. Its currents have borne the Indian's canoe, the explorer's dugout, and the trader's packet. Jacques Marquette, Louis Jolliet, and Zebulon Pike tested its strength. Mark Twain gave it life in literature. Paddle-wheelers by the hundreds ferried lesser known passengers over its waters during the halcyon days of steamboating in the 19th century. Into the Great River pour the St. Croix, Chippewa, Black, Wisconsin, Rock, Illinois, Missouri, and Ohio. Along its banks have flourished St. Paul, Winona, La Crosse, Davenport, Keokuk, Quincy, and St. Louis. For a time diminished in importance by the rail-roads, the Great River came back into its.own in the 20th century through dredging and damming. The present nine-foot channel and a series of locks and dams allow 300-foot barges to transport coal, cement, grain, and other products vital to the region's economic well being. Imposing in size and beauty, violent and muddy in floodstage, calm and serene on a summer morn, the Great River sustains life and livelihood within itself, along its banks, and upward in the hinterlands east and west.
[Source: Source: McBride, Sarah Davis. History Just Ahead (Madison:WHS, 1999).] | <urn:uuid:225b3a60-fafc-49d1-accc-3e488ba05123> | {
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Learn something new every day More Info... by email
Dark energy is a very sparse, uniform negative pressure that permeates the entire observable universe. It accounts for 70% of the mass/energy in the universe and is responsible for its accelerating rate of expansion. Dark energy is unlike the energy we are familiar with because it is not concentrated locally, as is the case with stars and galaxies, manifestations of conventional matter and energy. There are many other important differences between conventional energy and dark energy, which physicists continue to investigate.
The exact form or mechanism of operation of dark energy is unknown. In this respect, it is similar to its cousin, dark matter, which can only be observed by the influence it has on normal matter and energy.
There are two major theories for the form of dark energy, although one is more prominent than the other. The first theory, quintessence, describes the dark energy as a fluctuating field that changes its intensity based on location. The second theory, that of a cosmological constant, describes dark energy as constant and uniform. It is this second theory that is believed by most physicists and forms the basis of the Lambda-CDM model, the prevailing model of the structure of the cosmos.
The negative pressure of the cosmological constant is thought to originate from vacuum fluctuations at extremely small scales in all space. So-called virtual particles are continuously created and destroyed in this vacuum, creating a quantum foam that itself has energy.
The existence of dark energy has implications for the ultimate fate of the universe. If dark energy is an intrinsic property of space, as it looks to be, then it will continue to be exist indefinitely. If dark energy is the cause of the universe’s accelerating expansion, then it will also be the cause of reducing the average density of any parcel of space in the long run. As the universe grows more and more sparse, it will also grow more cold and hostile to life. Therefore, dark energy can justifiably be blamed for bringing on the “Heat Death” of the universe.
Is Europe using some type of Dark Energy device to power the Earth? ?My dad read it to me from a news paper. I just Could not find anything about it | <urn:uuid:1fd0b34e-c59a-4cd0-aff5-813ea66ee1be> | {
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Cameron marks 1919 Amritsar massacre
UK Prime Minister David Cameron visited the site of the infamous 1919 Amritsar massacre by British troops in India on Wednesday -- but those hoping he might apologize for the atrocity were disappointed.
Cameron, the first serving British prime minister to visit Amritsar, a Sikh holy city in the northwestern state of Punjab, laid a wreath at a memorial to the hundreds killed in the massacre.
Writing in a book of condolences at the Jallianwala Bagh memorial, he described the massacre as "a deeply shameful event in British history." He added, "We must never forget what happened here."
However, he did not give a formal apology for the atrocity, which occurred while India was part of the British Empire.
A spokesman for Cameron said the British state had always described the massacre as monstrous, but that "we need to be careful about going around apologizing for things that happened 40 years before the prime minister was born."
Cameron's trip to India is focused on promoting closer trade and business links.
Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, previously visited Amritsar in 1997.
In 1920, then-cabinet minister Winston Churchill condemned the massacre as "an episode which appears to me to be without precedent or parallel in the modern history of the British Empire ... It is an extraordinary event, a monstrous event, an event which stands in singular and sinister isolation."
The atrocity occurred when a British Army general ordered troops to open fire to disperse a crowd of unarmed protesters who had gathered in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar.
A report by a British-led committee in the wake of the massacre put the number killed at close to 400, with three to four times as many people injured. Indian observers put the number killed at more than 1,000.
Copyright 2013 by CNN NewSource. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. | <urn:uuid:d245e4a5-aec5-4a3b-b42e-e5d0a994146c> | {
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This item is in: Food Science > Nestlé functional foods and nutrition series > Nestle nutrition workshop: Pediatric programMicrobial host-interaction: Tolerance versus allergy
Edited by P Brandtzaeg, E Isolauri and S L Prescott
Nestlé Nutrition Workshop Series: Pediatric program Series No. 64
Most indigenous microbes occur in the intestinal tract, and their interactions with the host are largely unknown. Current understanding of host-microbe interactions links early microbial contact to the origin of disease, a theory that has its roots in the hygiene hypothesis. Modern life style appears to deprive the infant of conditions that provide adequate anti-inflammatory or tolerogenic stimuli upon antigen encounter. Thus, maturational signals from the environment and the diet are insufficient to adequately shape the immune system.
Microbial host-interaction deals with the relationship between the gut microbiota as well as altered pattern of early microbial contact and the origin of human disease. New aspects of the original hygiene hypothesis are discussed in relation to disorders spanning from allergy and autoimmunity to obesity.The results presented suggest that all these disorders may be linked to aberrant antigen absorption and immune responses associated with dysfunction of mucosal defense.
Researchers, clinicians and students interested in the interaction of the host with indigenous gut bacteria and the consequences for human health will find this publication of utmost interest.
ISBN 3 8055 9167 5
ISBN-13: 978 3 8055 9167 6
272 pages 234 x 156mm hardback
£165.00 / US$280.00 / €200.00
Usually dispatched within 1–2 weeks
Titles which may also be of interest:
Milk and milk products in human nutrition
Drivers of innovation in pediatric nutrition
Importance of growth for health and development
Emerging societies - coexistence of childhood malnutrition and obesity
A paradigm for commensalism: The role of a specific microbial polysaccharide in health and disease; The hygiene hypothesis: Do we still believe in it? ‘ABC’ of mucosal immunology; Innate and adaptive immune pathways to tolerance; Hitting the mucosal road in tolerance induction; Obesity – extending the hygiene hypothesis; Autoimmunity and diet; Eosinophilic esophagitis: Example of an emerging allergic manifestation? Microbial–host interactions in inflammatory bowel diseases and experimental colitis; Development and regulation of immune responses to food antigens in pre- and postnatal life; Novel approaches in treating food allergy using allergens; Allergen avoidance approaches in food allergy management; Role of dietary immunomodulatory factors in the development of immune tolerance; Microbial–host interactions: Selecting the right probiotics and prebiotics for infants; Probiotics and prebiotics: Immunological and clinical effects in allergic disease; Modified proteins in allergy prevention. | <urn:uuid:cf44a906-5368-4c74-97b9-bf68aa127324> | {
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Microsoft Word styles are powerful tools included in all versions of Word.
If you are a new user, you may not know what styles are or how to apply them to format your documents.
Whether you own Word 2007 or 2010, this article will help you understand the basics of Microsoft Word styles. It shows you how to find the predefined styles, and includes a tutorial that shows you how to change the style set and easily format your document by applying styles. It also briefly covers the topic of custom styles.
A style is a definition that determines the document formatting options that are applied to characters or paragraphs.
Note: Sometimes styles are referred to as tags. However, in Microsoft Word, styles is the correct term.
How many times have you gone through a lengthy document and manually reformatted the same text over and over again to get it right? It can waste hours of your time and all of that clicking can give you a nasty case of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Using styles helps you use consistent formatting throughout your document. Applying a style only takes a click or two so it is much faster than manually formatting block after block of text.
Styles can contain definitions for fonts, paragraph spacing, line height, hyphenation, tabs, page breaks, indentation, and more!
As you can see from the list, styles can become quite complex. But don't worry, Microsoft Word contains many predefined styles. That means you can use them even if you don't know how to create your own styles from scratch.
There are different ways to access the predefined Microsoft Word styles, but the easiest way in Word 2007 or 2010 is to select one from the Quick Style gallery.
Quick Styles were introduced in Word 2007 and are located on the Home tab. There are 11 style sets to choose from, 14 style sets in Word 2010. Each set can be altered by selecting different theme colors or fonts, resulting in thousands of unique styles available for document formatting.
For the following tutorial, open Word 2007 and start a new document. (These instructions also work for Microsoft Word 2010.)
Let's begin by entering some dummy text so you can see how changing the style set affects the document formatting.
Here is how to enter random text into a document:
Entering this code inserts three paragraphs of text into your document.
Now let's see how easy it is to change the look and feel of the document just by changing the style set.
Follow these steps to change the style set in your sample document:
To change the theme fonts or colors, click Change Styles again, then select either Colors or Fonts from the menu. In Word 2010, there is an additional option on the menu for changing paragraph spacing.
Now that you have selected a style set, let's apply some styles to the text in your document.
Follow these steps to easily create a title by applying a style:
The new style is applied and your document now has a professional-looking title.
If you are following the steps in this tutorial, your paragraph formatting is probably set to the default (Normal) style. But just in case it isn't, let's apply the default paragraph and font style to make sure that the formatting is consistent throughout the document.
Follow these steps to apply the Normal style:
All of the text changes to the default font with the default paragraph spacing.
The text looks a bit boring, so let's add emphasis to certain words by applying a character style.
Follow these steps to apply bold formatting to selected text:
You have just formatted your first document using Microsoft Word styles! Not only does it look professional, but you have created a handy reference guide to Microsoft Word 2007 galleries.
Before you close the document, why not print it?
The predefined styles give you lots of document formatting options to choose from, but you can also create your own custom Microsoft Word styles.
You can create new styles for each document, or you can save your custom styles and reuse them later. Saving styles you use often is a good way to speed up the process of creating Word documents.
So how do you save the custom styles you create? You save them to a template. You can save styles you always want available to the default (Normal.dotm) template, or you can save styles to custom templates.
You may have already used some of the custom Microsoft Word templates that are available in the Template gallery.
Open the Microsoft Office Template Gallery
To open the Template gallery, click the Office Button, then click New. To download the free online templates, you must have Genuine Microsoft Office software installed.
The next time you use a Microsoft Word template, look at the Quick Style gallery within the document to see the custom styles the author created.
Return from Microsoft Word Styles to Document Formatting | <urn:uuid:dc6e7da2-3f72-478d-8eeb-1a4df2f7e602> | {
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One entry found for correct.
Main Entry: 2correct
Function: adjective 1: meeting or agreeing with a particular standard <correct behavior> 2: agreeing with fact or known truth <the correct pronunciation> - corĚrectĚly /-rek-(t)l/ adverb - corĚrectĚness /-rek(t)-ns/ noun synonymsCORRECT, ACCURATE, EXACT, PRECISE mean brought into agreement with truth, a fact, or a standard. CORRECT stresses the notion that something is free from error <a correct answer>. ACCURATE stresses that great care has been taken to make sure that something agrees with the facts <an accurate description of the meeting>. EXACT stresses that something agrees very closely with fact or truth <the exact number of people present at the meeting>. PRECISE suggests an even closer or more careful agreement with fact or with a certain standard <the precise measurements of the room>. | <urn:uuid:dbe1d3ab-4275-47f4-8de3-6340b139fe95> | {
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"url": "http://www.wordcentral.com/apps/apache/docs/wordcentral.com/cgi-bin/student?book=Student&va=correctly"
} |
3 entries found for fission.
To select an entry, click on it.
Main Entry: 1fis·sion
Pronunciation: fish-n also fizh-
Function: noun 1: a splitting or breaking up into parts 2: a method of reproduction in which a living cell or body divides into two or more parts each of which grows into a whole new individual 3: the splitting of an atomic nucleus resulting in the release of large amounts of energy | <urn:uuid:93f5d795-2652-41a1-920d-adf26cfb57a1> | {
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American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- n. A common European crow (Corvus corone) having glossy black plumage.
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. The common crow of Europe, Corvus corone: so called because it often feeds on carrion. See cut under crow.
- n. The urubu or black vulture of America, Catharista atrata, a common bird of the southern United States, resembling the turkey-buzzard, and feeding entirely upon carrion.
- n. The common crow of America, Corvus americanus.
- n. A name of the European rook, Corvus frugilegus.
GNU Webster's 1913
- adj. the common European crow (Corvus corone) which feeds on carrion, insects, fruits, and seeds.
- n. See under Carrion.
- n. American vulture smaller than the turkey buzzard
Sorry, no example sentences found.
‘carrion crow’ hasn't been added to any lists yet.
Looking for tweets for carrion crow. | <urn:uuid:dd59f312-29a0-47f2-b019-caefaaa33aae> | {
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"url": "http://www.wordnik.com/words/carrion%20crow"
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American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- n. A device, such as a fuse or percussion cap, used to set off an explosive charge.
- n. An explosive.
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. That which detonates; it detonating preparation; a percussion-cap.
- n. A device used to detonate an explosive device etc.
- n. rail transport, UK a small explosive device attached to the railhead to provide an audible warning when a train passes over it.
GNU Webster's 1913
- n. obsolete, obsolete An explosive whose action is practically instantaneous.
- n. obsolete, obsolete Something used to detonate a charge, as a detonating fuse.
- n. obsolete, obsolete A case containing detonating powder, the explosion of which serves as a signal, as on railroads.
- n. obsolete A gun fired by a percussion cap.
- n. a mechanical or electrical explosive device or a small amount of explosive; can be used to initiate the reaction of a disrupting explosive
- detonate + -or (Wiktionary)
“And interestingly, a similar detonator is connected to a massive nuclear device under the city of Munich, set to ignite in eighty hours.”
“Besides, the detonator is not yet manufactured that will explode that charge.”
“But suffice it to say that it is concentrated hydrogen peroxide mixed with flour, attached to a very crude detonator, which is, again, a very crude about four gallon plastic container.”
“A “nano detonator”, that is, a detonator roughly smaller than an electron.”
“You know, your cell phone now is called a detonator and simple things like Gatorade apparently can be used as a component of a bomb that could take your plane down, so I think people are very weary and they want to know that we're doing things.”
“And I would raise a concern about the fact that even though there were no detonators, the detonator is the easy part of the explosive.”
“The detonator was a remote car starter purchased over the Internet.”
“American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith called the detonator holder "nothing threatening.”
“In all of this cases, the detonator was a mishandled of the well perforator (made in china).”
“The detonator is a rifle cartridge with a nail on the primer cap.”
These user-created lists contain the word ‘detonator’.
A list of words that are odd or words that I have looked up.
ammunition, anti-aircraft mac..., anti-vehicle mine, automatic machine..., ballistic missile..., bazooka, biological weapons, booby trap, bunker-busting bomb, chemical weapons, cluster bomb, light battleship and 218 more...
Looking for tweets for detonator. | <urn:uuid:3b0491ac-e79f-400f-9e37-a67317e7f578> | {
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"url": "http://www.wordnik.com/words/detonator"
} |
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